Forest Town Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Forest Town's overall crime rate in January 2026 stood at 4.6 per 1,000 residents, marking a 32.4% deficit compared to the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure underscores the area's relative safety, particularly notable for a built-up urban centre. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly half (49.5%) of all crimes reported, reflecting patterns often seen in communities with established social services and community policing initiatives. Other crime (9.7%) and criminal damage and arson (9.7%) followed, suggesting a mix of transient and persistent issues. Seasonal factors appear to have influenced crime distribution, with January's post-holiday period likely contributing to reduced retail footfall and fewer outdoor crimes typical of the month. The lower-than-average burglary rate (64% below UK norms) aligns with the area's compact built-up nature, where property crime may be less prevalent due to higher visibility and community engagement. However, the rise in public order offences during this period deserves closer attention, potentially linked to colder weather driving more indoor gatherings or increased tensions in social spaces. The data highlights a combination of local characteristics and broader seasonal trends, with Forest Town's crime profile illustrating a balance between stability and emerging challenges.

The most dramatic month-on-month shift in January 2026 was a 133.3% increase in public order offences, rising from 3 to 7 cases. This spike, coupled with a 100% rise in both other crime (5 to 10) and criminal damage and arson (5 to 10), suggests a significant shift in crime dynamics. These increases contrast sharply with declines in burglary (-57.1%), anti-social behaviour (-53.3%), and other theft (-22.2%), indicating a possible reallocation of criminal activity towards more transient or situational offences. The area's violent crime rate (2.3 per 1,000) remains 8% below the UK average, a trend consistent with Forest Town's lower-than-average burglary and vehicle crime rates. Other crime in Forest Town is 212% above the UK average, a stark anomaly requiring further contextualisation. This category's surge may reflect unclassified incidents or specific local factors, such as increased reporting or targeted activities. For residents, the 133.3% rise in public order offences offers a concrete data point to consider when evaluating community safety measures and event planning.

Forest Town's crime rate in January 2026 (4.6 per 1,000) represented an 8.4% increase from the previous month's rate of 4.3 per 1,000, a modest upward trend within an otherwise stable context. Daily crime figures show an average of 3 crimes reported each day over the 31-day period, translating to a monthly exposure where 1 in every 216 residents experienced a reported crime. This rate, while relatively low compared to national benchmarks, still requires attention to emerging patterns. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Forest Town's crime profile, while safer than the UK average, contains specific anomalies—such as other crime being 212% above the UK average—that demand deeper analysis. The contrast between declining property crimes and rising public order offences highlights shifting priorities in local crime management. These figures provide a tangible benchmark for residents, showing that while the area remains safer than most, targeted interventions may be needed to address the disproportionate rise in certain categories. The comparison to the previous month's data also underscores the importance of continuous monitoring, as even small percentage changes can reflect significant shifts in community dynamics.