Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

October 2023 saw Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook record a crime rate of 8.1 per 1,000 residents, a slight 1.2% increase above the UK average. The area's crime profile was dominated by anti-social behaviour (35.2% of all incidents), violence and sexual offences (33.3%), and criminal damage and arson (11.1%). These figures align with the seasonal context of October, when darker evenings and the approach of Halloween may contribute to increased anti-social activity. The prevalence of violence and sexual offences matches the UK average, but the area's property crime rate diverges: burglary and other theft were 41% and 68% below UK norms respectively, while public order offences were 2% above. This suggests that while the built-up area's smaller population and rural surroundings may reduce opportunities for property crime, the social dynamics of the community—influenced by local events or demographics—could drive anti-social and public order incidents. The seasonal transition from autumn to winter, with shorter daylight hours, may also play a role in the 200% rise in criminal damage and arson, though this remains a hypothesis requiring further data to confirm. Overall, the area's crime rate, though slightly above the UK average, remains relatively low compared to larger urban centres, where rates often exceed 15 per 1,000.

October 2023 marked a sharp upward trend in criminal damage and arson, which more than doubled from 2 to 6 incidents—a 200% increase. This surge, coupled with a 100% rise in both burglary and other theft, contrasts with a 75% drop in shoplifting, suggesting shifting patterns in criminal activity. Anti-social behaviour remained the most prevalent category, accounting for 35.2% of all crimes, and was 127% above the UK average. The area's violent crime rate matched the UK average, but property crimes were skewed: burglary and other theft were significantly below UK norms, while public order offences were 2% above. These disparities may reflect the area's built-up character, where anti-social behaviour is more concentrated but property crimes are less frequent due to lower population density compared to major cities.

The area's crime rate in October 2023 rose to 8.1 per 1,000 residents, a 25.6% increase from 6.4 per 1,000 in September. This places Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook slightly above the UK average. Locally, the daily crime count averaged 2 incidents per day over the 31-day period, a figure that may feel more pronounced in a community of 6,676 residents. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 124 residents, a ratio that highlights the concentrated nature of incidents in a built-up area. While the increase is notable, the context of seasonal factors—such as darker evenings and Halloween—may influence perceptions of safety. The population-scaled perspective shows that the rate, though higher than September, remains relatively low compared to larger urban centres, where crime rates often exceed 15 per 1,000.