Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Crime Rate August 2023 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 6,676, the 43 crimes reported in August 2023 equate to one crime for every 155 residents over the course of the month. This rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents is 21.0% below the UK average of 8.1 per 1,000, marking Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook as one of the safer built-up areas in the UK. The crime profile shows a distinct pattern: anti-social behaviour (37.2% of total crimes) was the most prevalent category, followed by violence and sexual offences (23.3%) and public order incidents (9.3%). This aligns with the area’s character as a small, rural-adjacent community with limited commercial activity outside the village core. Seasonal factors may partly explain the distribution, as August is a peak holiday month when tourism activity and empty homes can increase burglary risk. However, burglary rates in August (0.3 per 1,000) were 12% below the UK average, suggesting local security measures or lower property density may contribute to this trend. The sharp contrast between anti-social behaviour rates (2.4 per 1,000, 67% above the UK average) and violent crime rates (1.5 per 1,000, 43% below the UK average) highlights the area’s unique dynamics, where community tensions may manifest more in public disorder than in interpersonal violence. These patterns are consistent with the area’s demographic profile, which lacks the dense population or nightlife hubs that typically drive higher rates of violent crime.

August 2023 saw notable shifts in crime trends, with burglary, public order, and bicycle theft each increasing by 100% compared to July. This surge in burglary cases (2 incidents) coincides with August’s role as a peak holiday month, when vacant homes may attract opportunistic offenders. Bicycle theft, which rose from zero to two incidents, suggests a potential vulnerability in local security practices, particularly as the area’s 233% above-average rate for this category (0.3 per 1,000) indicates a specific risk for cyclists. Conversely, violence and sexual offences fell by 37.5%, dropping from 16 to 10 incidents—a reduction that may reflect seasonal changes in social activity or successful community interventions. Anti-social behaviour, though still the most common category (16 incidents), declined by 27.3% from July’s 22 cases, indicating the impact of local enforcement efforts or natural fluctuations in community tensions. The contrast between anti-social behaviour rates (67% above UK average) and public order offences (exactly at the UK average) underscores the need for targeted strategies to address noise, nuisance, and other low-level disruptions without over-policing. These findings highlight the value of real-time data for residents, who may want to take additional precautions during August’s high-traffic periods while noting the overall safety of the area compared to national benchmarks.

The crime rate in August 2023 (6.4 per 1,000) marked a 17.3% decrease from July’s rate of 7.8 per 1,000, reflecting a sustained period of relative stability in this small built-up area. On a daily basis, the 43 crimes reported over 31 days equate to approximately one crime per day—a figure that, while seemingly high, is proportionally lower than the UK average when scaled to Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook’s population of 6,676. When viewed through the lens of monthly exposure, the 1-in-155 resident statistic illustrates that the average resident is far less likely to experience crime than the UK average resident, who faces a higher risk due to the area’s lower overall rate. This contrast is particularly evident in categories like burglary and violent crime, where local rates are significantly below the UK average. However, the 233% above-average rate for bicycle theft (0.3 per 1,000) highlights a specific vulnerability, possibly linked to the area’s limited infrastructure for secure bike storage. The 17.3% monthly decline also suggests that local efforts to address crime may be bearing fruit, though the sharp increases in burglary and public order incidents indicate that challenges remain. These figures provide a nuanced picture for residents, who can take comfort in the area’s overall safety while remaining vigilant about specific risks like bicycle theft and public disorder.