Forest Town Crime Rate May 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Forest Town's overall crime rate in May 2024 stood at 5.9 per 1,000 residents, marking a 29.8% reduction compared to the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure positions the area as one of the safer built-up communities within Mansfield, where the local landscape blends residential neighbourhoods with commercial hubs. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, which accounted for 31.3% of all reported incidents—significantly lower than the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000. Anti-social behaviour followed closely at 25.2% of total crimes, while shoplifting made up 17.6%, though this category exceeded the UK average by 56%. The seasonal shift in May, with longer evenings and increased outdoor socialising, may partly explain the persistent presence of violence and anti-social behaviour, though the overall trend remains below national benchmarks. Property crimes formed a smaller share of the total (35%) compared to violent crimes (31.3%), suggesting a balance between personal safety concerns and property-related incidents. This pattern aligns with the area's character as a mixed-use urban centre, where commercial activity and public spaces contribute to both crime prevention and risk factors. The data also reveals that certain categories, like criminal damage and arson, are below the UK average by 19%, potentially reflecting effective community policing or environmental factors in the area.

May 2024 saw significant fluctuations in specific crime categories, with vehicle crime surging by 400% compared to April, rising from one to five incidents. This sharp increase may be linked to the start of the summer season, which typically sees higher vehicle usage and parking activity in the town's commercial zones. Anti-social behaviour also rose dramatically by 153.8%, jumping from 13 to 33 incidents—a trend that could be connected to the extended daylight hours and increased foot traffic in public spaces. In contrast, burglary rates dropped by 66.7%, with only one incident reported compared to three in April, reflecting improved home security measures or seasonal deterrence factors. Violence and sexual offences remained the most frequent category, but at 1.9 per 1,000 residents, they were 33% below the UK average for this category. Meanwhile, shoplifting emerged as a notable concern, with 23 incidents (1.0 per 1,000) representing a 56% increase over the UK average. This discrepancy may be explained by the town's retail presence, which could attract opportunistic theft. Residents might find the 57% reduction in vehicle crime from the UK average (0.5 per 1,000) reassuring, though the 400% increase in this category from the previous month deserves closer attention to local transport and parking security.

The crime rate in Forest Town rose by 50.5% from 3.9 per 1,000 in April to 5.9 per 1,000 in May, reflecting a marked increase over the previous month. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately four crimes per day in May, a figure that, while lower than the UK average, highlights the need for continued vigilance in public spaces. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 169 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Forest Town among the safer communities in the UK. When considering the population context, the area's 22,202 residents mean that the absolute number of crimes (131) represents a relatively small proportion of the local population. This comparison suggests that while the month-on-month increase is notable, the overall crime burden remains manageable for the community. The 29.8% gap between Forest Town's rate and the UK average underscores the effectiveness of local policing strategies, though the rise in anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime in May indicates areas for targeted intervention. For residents, the 1-in-169 monthly exposure rate provides a concrete measure of risk, allowing for informed decisions about personal safety and community engagement.