Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Crime Rate December 2023 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook in December 2023 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with neither category dominating the overall rate. At 3.6 crimes per 1,000 residents, the area’s crime rate is 50% below the UK average of 7.2 per 1,000, a gap that underscores its relatively low-risk environment compared to national trends. Violence and sexual offences (7 cases) and anti-social behaviour (7 cases) each accounted for 29.2% of total crimes, reflecting a pattern where interpersonal conflicts and disruptive conduct are more prevalent than property-related incidents. This balance contrasts with many urban centres where property crime typically outpaces violent crime. Seasonal factors likely play a role in this mix: the Christmas shopping peak, combined with extended evenings and holiday-related absences, may have increased opportunities for anti-social behaviour while reducing the visibility of property crime. The area’s low rate of vehicle crime (0.2 per 1,000) aligns with its rural character, where fewer cars are parked in public spaces compared to densely populated areas. However, the presence of possession of weapons at 400% above the UK average (0.3 per 1,000 vs. 0.1 per 1,000) introduces a unique concern, suggesting potential localised issues that warrant closer examination. This mix of crime types highlights a community where social tensions and isolated incidents appear to drive most reported offences, rather than systemic issues of theft or burglary.

December 2023 saw significant shifts in the crime mix compared to November, with other theft tripling from 1 to 3 cases (+200%) and drug-related offences doubling from 0 to 1 (+100%). These increases, though small in absolute terms, reflect a possible uptick in opportunistic crimes during the holiday season, when households may be less vigilant about securing valuables. Conversely, violence and sexual offences decreased by 12.5% (from 8 to 7 cases), a trend consistent with the seasonal slowdown in public gatherings during December. The area’s anti-social behaviour rate (1.1 per 1,000) is 18% above the UK average of 0.9 per 1,000, a discrepancy that may be linked to the community’s small size and limited formal social spaces, where disputes can escalate more readily. Burglary, at 0.5 per 1,000, is 43% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, suggesting that even in a low-crime area, targeted intrusions occur at a rate higher than expected. Residents may find the 400% spike in possession of weapons (0.3 per 1,000 vs. 0.1 per 1,000 UK average) particularly noteworthy, as it indicates a potential hotspot for weapons-related incidents that could pose safety risks during social events or gatherings.

The crime rate in Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook rose by 14.0% from 3.2 per 1,000 in November to 3.6 per 1,000 in December, a modest but measurable increase. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 278 residents, a figure that contextualises the scale of incidents within the local population. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately one crime per day, a rate that, while low, highlights the persistent nature of criminal activity even in areas with overall low crime levels. When compared to the UK average, the area’s violent crime rate (1.1 per 1,000) is 58% below the national figure of 2.6 per 1,000, a gap that may be attributed to the community’s rural setting and lower population density. However, the area’s anti-social behaviour rate (1.1 per 1,000) is 18% above the UK average, suggesting that local social dynamics or environmental factors—such as limited public amenities or concentrated residential areas—may contribute to this discrepancy. These comparisons illustrate that while Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook is generally safer than the UK average, specific categories of crime remain areas of concern that could benefit from targeted interventions.