Forest Town Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 22,202 residents, 118 crimes were reported in Forest Town during August 2023—a rate of 5.3 per 1,000 people. This places the area 34.6% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, a significant divergence that reflects both local conditions and seasonal factors. The most common crimes were violence and sexual offences (42 cases, 35.6% of total), followed by anti-social behaviour (26 cases, 22.0%) and shoplifting (18 cases, 15.3%). These figures suggest a mix of personal safety concerns and community-level issues, with violence and anti-social behaviour dominating the crime profile. August, as a peak holiday month, may have influenced patterns: the seasonal context aligns with increased tourism and the potential for empty homes to attract burglary. However, burglary rates in August were lower than the UK average, a trend that could reflect the area’s compact built-up nature, where vacant properties are less common or more closely monitored. Shoplifting, meanwhile, showed a modest rise compared to July, linked to summer retail activity or targeted thefts in local stores. The overall crime rate, though lower than the national average, still requires attention to the specific categories driving activity, particularly violence and anti-social behaviour, which may be tied to local demographics or environmental factors such as public spaces and community cohesion.

August 2023 saw significant fluctuations in crime types. Burglary rates surged by 400% compared to July, jumping from one to five incidents—a sharp increase that may be linked to August’s peak holiday season, when homes are more likely to be unoccupied. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 60% (15 to 6), and public order offences dropped by 50% (8 to 4), potentially reflecting seasonal shifts in community activity or more effective local policing. Shoplifting also rose slightly (12.5% increase, 16 to 18 cases), a trend that contrasts with the UK average for this category, where Forest Town’s rate (0.8 per 1,000) is 33% above the national figure of 0.6 per 1,000. This discrepancy might indicate targeted retail theft in the area’s built-up environment, influenced by summer foot traffic. Drug-related crimes saw a 100% increase, rising from zero to three cases—a figure that, while small, could signal emerging local issues or increased visibility of such activity during the summer months. Violent crime, though remaining the largest category, was 28% below the UK average (1.9 vs 2.6 per 1,000), a contrast that may reflect Forest Town’s relatively stable community structure compared to larger urban centres with higher violent crime rates.

The crime rate in Forest Town for August 2023 (5.3 per 1,000 residents) marked a 14.6% decrease from July’s rate of 6.2 per 1,000. This decline, while modest, suggests a gradual stabilization in local crime trends. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly four crimes per day—a figure that, while low, highlights the persistent presence of criminal activity in a built-up area. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for every 188 residents, a monthly exposure rate that, when compared to the UK average, underscores Forest Town’s comparatively safer environment. However, this statistic must be contextualized: the area’s smaller population and more compact nature likely contribute to lower overall crime rates, as densely populated regions often see higher concentrations of incidents. The 34.6% gap between Forest Town’s rate and the UK average (8.1 per 1,000) is particularly notable, as it suggests that local factors—such as effective policing, community engagement, or the absence of major urban challenges—play a role in maintaining lower crime levels. Yet, the rise in shoplifting and burglary during August indicates that specific vulnerabilities, such as retail theft and seasonal property risks, remain areas for focused attention.