Ruspidge Crime Rate

Ruspidge Crime Overview

Ruspidge is a safe and quiet settlement within the Forest of Dean, boasting a crime rate of 55.9 per 1,000 people. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, resulting in a high safety score of 87/100. The crime trend in the area is currently stable, with a minor 1.8% increase over the past year. With a population of just 2,039, Ruspidge maintains a community-focused atmosphere where property crime is particularly low, at just 9.3 per 1,000 people. While violence and anti-social behaviour are the most frequently recorded issues, the overall low volume of crime makes Ruspidge a secure choice for residents and families alike.

Crime Type Analysis in Ruspidge

Ruspidge experiences a crime profile where violence and sexual offences (36.0%) and anti-social behaviour (35.1%) are almost equally prevalent. Together, these two categories account for over 70% of all reported incidents. Criminal damage and arson is the third most common type, representing 7.9% of the total.

Property crime in Ruspidge is notably low, with a rate of 9.3 per 1,000 people per year. This includes burglary and vehicle crime, which each account for 2.6% of total incidents, and other theft at 3.5%. For residents, this means that while personal safety and anti-social behaviour are the primary concerns for local authorities, the risk of home-targeted crime is relatively minimal compared to national averages. However, the presence of vehicle crime and burglary, even at low levels, suggests that basic home security remains a valuable investment for homeowners looking to protect their assets.

Ruspidge Crime Trends

The crime trend in Ruspidge is stable, with a minor 1.8% increase in total recorded crimes over the last 12 months. Monthly data shows significant fluctuation due to the small population, with rates as low as 1.5 in January 2025 and peaking at 6.9 in August 2025.

This peak in August suggests a seasonal increase in activity, perhaps linked to the summer holidays and increased local movement. However, the rate returned to more typical levels of 5.4 and 5.9 in the subsequent months. For residents, this stability means that the area's safety profile is consistent, with no emerging spikes in dangerous activity, maintaining Ruspidge's reputation as a secure Gloucestershire settlement.

How To Keep Safe in Ruspidge

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime types in Ruspidge, accounting for 36.0% of total incidents. While the overall numbers are low, personal safety remains important.

1. When walking in the area after dark, try to use well-lit residential streets and remain aware of your surroundings.
2. Ensure that vehicles are parked in secure, well-lit areas, especially overnight, to mitigate the risk of vehicle crime which peaks between 12am and 6am.
3. Report any instances of anti-social behaviour to local authorities, as this helps in monitoring community safety and allocating patrols.
4. Keep household items and valuables out of sight from windows to avoid attracting opportunistic theft during the afternoon hours.
5. Engage with local community groups or neighbourhood watch schemes to stay informed about any local safety concerns or trends.

Crime Time Patterns in Ruspidge

Crime in Ruspidge shows distinct temporal patterns. The afternoon (12pm-6pm) is a notable period for theft, which accounts for 34% of crimes during these hours, likely coinciding with daytime activity. Night-time (12am-6am) presents a different risk profile, with vehicle crime peaking at 34% of incidents during this period. Evening hours (6pm-12am) are dominated by "Other" crime types, which includes anti-social behaviour, making up 64% of reports. Morning hours are relatively quiet, with "Other" crimes again being the most frequent. These patterns suggest that while the area is safe, specific risks like vehicle crime are more concentrated during the quietest hours of the night.

Regional Crime Context

Ruspidge sits in a varied regional crime landscape. It is significantly safer than the nearby town of Cinderford, which has a much higher crime rate of 111.4 per 1,000 people. Ruspidge is identical in its crime rate to Newnham (55.9), suggesting a consistent safety profile for these medium-sized local settlements. In contrast, very small nearby areas like Littledean and Pope's Hill reported zero crimes in this period. Overall, Ruspidge represents a safe middle ground, offering a secure environment that avoids the higher crime concentrations found in larger local urban centres.

Proactive Home Security in Ruspidge

With a property crime rate of 9.3 per 1,000 people, Ruspidge is a low-risk area for burglary and theft. However, the best way to maintain this safety is through proactive prevention. Traditional security systems, like standard CCTV, often only provide footage of an incident after it has occurred. For a homeowner, this is reactive and does little to stop the initial intrusion or loss of property.

scOS offers a proactive approach by using AI to detect threats at the property boundary. In Ruspidge, where vehicle crime is more prevalent at night, scOS’s ability to monitor all cameras simultaneously and verify vehicle plates can be invaluable. If an unauthorised person or vehicle is detected, scOS can autonomously activate deterrents like lights and speakers. This destroys the element of surprise that criminals rely on. By choosing a system that prevents crime rather than just recording it, Ruspidge residents can ensure their homes remain secure and undesirable targets for opportunistic offenders.