Sling Crime Rate

Recent crime statistics for Sling, a built-up area within the Forest of Dean, reveal a concerning trend. With an annual crime rate of 48.5 per 1,000 residents between January 2025 and November 2025, Sling's crime rate is significantly higher than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000. This elevated rate, combined with a safety score of 87/100, suggests a need for focused attention on community safety. While Sling's population is relatively small at 1526 residents, the recent 25.4% year-on-year increase in crime warrants careful consideration and proactive measures to ensure the well-being of its residents.

The most recent data for Sling, covering January 2025 to November 2025, reveals a concerning pattern of criminal activity. Violence and sexual offences are the most prevalent, accounting for 41.9% of recorded crimes (31 incidents). This category is followed by anti-social behaviour, which represents 29.7% of all incidents (22 occurrences), and criminal damage and arson, contributing 10.8% (8 incidents). While burglary represents a smaller proportion (6.8%, or 5 incidents), its impact on residents' sense of security remains significant. Other theft accounts for 4% (3 incidents), while public order offences, drugs-related crimes, vehicle crime, and other miscellaneous crimes each contribute a small percentage. The overall property crime rate stands at 11.2 per 1,000 residents, highlighting the need for targeted preventative measures.

Crime in Sling has experienced a concerning upward trend, increasing by 25.4% year-on-year. Examining the monthly data from January 2025 to November 2025 reveals a fluctuating but consistently elevated crime rate. January 2025 saw a relatively low rate of 1.3 crimes per 1,000 residents, but this figure escalated sharply in February (2.6 per 1,000) and peaked in March (5.9 per 1,000). While there were dips in April and May, the rate rebounded in June, July, and October, reaching a high of 5.9 per 1,000 in November. This sustained increase indicates a need for immediate and effective intervention to address the root causes of crime and improve the safety of the community.

How To Keep Safe in Sling

Given the prevalence of violence and sexual offences in Sling, it's crucial to remain vigilant. First, be aware of your surroundings, particularly when walking alone at night. Secondly, consider joining or supporting local neighbourhood watch schemes to build community resilience. Thirdly, ensure your home and vehicle are securely locked and alarmed. Fourthly, report any suspicious activity to the police promptly. Finally, trust your instincts – if a situation feels unsafe, remove yourself from it.

The time of day significantly influences the types of crimes occurring in Sling. Burglary is most frequent during the afternoon (12pm - 6pm), accounting for 37% of incidents. Theft tends to occur during commercial hours, particularly in the morning and afternoon. Vehicle crime is more prevalent overnight (12am - 6am), and while violence and sexual offences are less common, they are most likely to occur during the evening hours (6pm - 12am), particularly on weekends. This pattern underscores the importance of heightened vigilance during these peak periods.

Comparing Sling's crime statistics with its neighbours provides context for the situation. Clearwell boasts a remarkably low crime rate of 0.0 per 1,000, a stark contrast to Sling's 48.5. Milkwall's rate of 23.4 per 1,000 is considerably lower, while Broadwell and Coalway face a similar challenge with 60.1 per 1,000. Coleford, a larger nearby town, experiences a significantly higher crime rate of 120.0 per 1,000, highlighting the varying levels of safety across the Forest of Dean.

Traditional CCTV systems often provide footage after a crime has occurred, offering little in the way of prevention. If you're seeking genuine property protection in Sling, consider a proactive approach. scOS, an AI-powered home security operating system, detects potential threats before they escalate. Its multi-camera intelligence watches your property boundary, instantly verifying vehicles with DVLA data and learning your family's routines to filter out false alarms. This system's ability to identify and respond to threats in real-time – activating lights and speakers to deter intruders – creates a powerful deterrent. The visible presence of professional-grade security, like that provided by scOS, sends a clear message: this property is protected, making Sling a less attractive target for criminals. While DIY systems have their place, the level of proactive protection offered by scOS is a significant step above.