The question of whether Ruardean town centre is safe on weekend nights is complex, as the available data presents a mixed picture. While Ruardean, a Built-Up Area (BUA) in the Forest of Dean with a population of 1443, benefits from a generally positive safety score, specific indicators suggest caution is advisable after dark.
Ruardean’s overall safety score stands at 86 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average of 79. However, the crucial element here is the night safety score, which is a considerably lower 11 out of 100. This significant disparity highlights a potential difference in safety levels during the day versus at night.
Looking at the crime rate, Ruardean reports 54.1 crimes per 1,000 residents, which is higher than the UK average of 91.6. This suggests a higher incidence of crime compared to the national average. Further breakdown reveals a violent crime rate of 27.7 per 1,000 residents. While this isn't excessively high, coupled with the low night safety score, it warrants consideration.
The night safety score of 11/100 indicates a feeling of unease and potential risk during evening hours. This score reflects perceptions of safety and the likelihood of encountering crime or feeling unsafe. It’s important to note that this is a subjective score, but it is consistently derived from data points that correlate with objective crime statistics.
Therefore, while Ruardean might be relatively safe during the day, the combination of a higher-than-average crime rate and a significantly low night safety score suggests that extra vigilance is required when visiting the town centre on weekend nights. Factors contributing to this may include reduced visibility, increased alcohol consumption, and potentially fewer people present to deter crime.