Forden Crime Rate

Forden is an exceptionally safe urban settlement in Powys, holding a high safety score of 91/100. The area's overall crime rate is 33.2 per 1,000 people, which is remarkably lower than the UK average of 91.6. While the local crime trend is increasing, with a 62.5% rise over the past year, Forden remains a secure environment for its 1,566 residents. This analysis, based on data from Jan 2025 to Dec 2025, provides a detailed breakdown of the types of crime occurring locally, helping residents and homeowners understand the specific safety patterns in their community and take appropriate precautions.

In Forden, violence and sexual offences are the most common reports, with 27 incidents accounting for 51.9% of all local crime. This is followed by other crime and public order, which each comprise 9.6% of the total. These figures show that personal safety and public order are the primary areas of police activity in the village.

The overall property crime rate in Forden—which includes burglary, theft, vehicle crime, and criminal damage—is 7.0 per 1,000 people. This is exceptionally low compared to the UK average of 32.2. Burglary specifically occurs at a rate of 0.6 per 1,000 residents. For homeowners, the very low rate of property-related offences suggests a highly secure environment, although the significant increase in overall crime indicates that residents should not be complacent about basic security measures.

Forden's crime rate has increased by 62.5% year-over-year. A look at the monthly data for 2025 reveals a fluctuating pattern. The year started with a rate of 2.6 in January, followed by a very quiet April (0.6).

Activity picked up significantly in the autumn, with November recording the year's highest rate of 5.8. The latter part of the year remained relatively active, ending with a rate of 1.3 in December. This peak in late autumn suggests a specific period of increased activity that residents should be aware of. Despite the overall increase, the final months of the year showed rates that are still well below national averages. The 62.5% increase indicates that while Forden remains safe, there is a gradual upward trend in reported incidents that warrants continued community vigilance.

How To Keep Safe in Forden

Violence and sexual offences are the most common crime type in Forden, accounting for over 50% of all reports. While the area is very safe, it is always wise to practice good personal safety habits. Stick to well-lit areas when walking at night and remain aware of your surroundings in public spaces.

Since public order and other crimes are also top concerns, residents should focus on maintaining a secure property exterior. Ensure that gates are locked and that no items are left out that could be targeted for opportunistic theft. The data shows that burglary risk is highest at night (18%), so double-checking that all doors and windows are locked before bed is essential. Additionally, vehicle crime accounts for 28% of night-time incidents, so always ensure your car is locked and that no valuables are left inside. For those with driveways, using them rather than on-street parking can further reduce risk. Finally, staying active in local community groups or neighbourhood watch schemes can help you stay informed about any suspicious activity in the Forden area. Awareness and community cooperation are vital in keeping crime rates low.

Crime in Forden follows a clear temporal cycle. During the morning and afternoon, theft is a major component, accounting for 60% and 65% of reports respectively. This suggests that opportunistic theft is most likely when people are out and about or at work.

As the day transitions into the evening and night, the nature of crime shifts heavily toward 'other' offences, including public order. Burglary risk is high in the evening (13%) but remains significant into the night, where it peaks at 18%. Most notably, vehicle crime—which is relatively low during the day—jumps to 28% of all incidents between midnight and 6am. This indicates that vehicles parked on streets or in driveways are most vulnerable during the early hours of the morning. The 'other' category is most prevalent in the evening, making up 47% of all reports during that time.

In the local context, Forden is part of a very safe region. It is significantly more secure than neighbouring Welshpool, which has a high crime rate of 121.0 per 1,000, and is also safer than Montgomery (49.8). However, it is slightly more active than rural Berriew and Gungrog, both of which recorded 0.0 crimes. Forden offers a balanced profile, providing a much safer environment than larger urban centres while serving as a small hub compared to the most rural hamlets in the Severn Valley.

Forden's property crime rate of 7.0 per 1,000 people is exceptionally low, but the 62.5% increase in overall crime suggests that residents should be proactive about security. While property crime is currently rare, the rise in other offences indicates a changing local landscape. Traditional security systems like Ring or Nest are reactive—they record an event as it happens but often don't prevent it.

For Forden homeowners, scOS provides a proactive alternative. This AI-powered home security operating system monitors all your cameras in real-time to identify threats at the property boundary. It can distinguish between family members, delivery drivers, and intruders, ensuring you only receive alerts for real threats. If an intruder is detected, scOS can act autonomously by engaging lights or speakers to deter them before they ever reach your door. This type of prevention is crucial for maintaining Forden's high safety standards, especially as vehicle crime risk jumps to 28% during the late-night hours.