Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Crime Rate December 2025 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile for Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook in December 2025 reveals a striking imbalance between violent and property crimes. Violence and sexual offences account for 51.2% of all reported crimes, significantly higher than the UK average of 28% for this category. This dominance of violent crime contrasts sharply with property crimes, which make up 48.8% of the total. The seasonal context of December—characterised by Christmas shopping, extended evenings, and the closure of some homes during the festive period—likely contributes to this pattern. The area’s rural character within Staffordshire Moorlands may amplify the impact of dark winter evenings on crime visibility, potentially increasing opportunities for violent incidents. Despite the high proportion of violent crime, the overall rate of 6.4 per 1,000 residents places the area 8.6% below the UK average, suggesting local factors may mitigate the broader national trends. The breakdown of violent crimes includes a notable 22 incidents, with a significant portion linked to interpersonal disputes, while property crimes such as burglary (7 cases) and other theft (4 cases) show marked spikes. The lower rates of anti-social behaviour (4.7% of total crimes) and shoplifting (4.7%) compared to the UK average may reflect the area’s smaller population density and community-focused policing strategies. This mix of crime types illustrates a combination of seasonal dynamics and the built-up area’s specific social and geographical characteristics.

December 2025 saw significant month-on-month changes in crime patterns, with burglary rates tripling from zero to seven incidents—a 100% increase. Other theft and vehicle crime also doubled, reflecting a shift in criminal focus during the festive period. Conversely, criminal damage and arson fell by 75% (from four to one), and shoplifting dropped by 66.7% (from six to two), possibly linked to reduced foot traffic in local shops during the holiday season. The crime mix remains heavily skewed towards violent offences, with violence and sexual offences at 3.3 per 1,000—28% above the UK average. This stark contrast with the UK’s 2.6 per 1,000 highlights the area’s vulnerability to interpersonal crime. Burglary, at 1.1 per 1,000, is 293% above the UK average of 0.3 per 1,000, indicating a localised risk that may be exacerbated by vacant homes during the Christmas holidays. Residents may find the 100% increase in burglary particularly concerning, as it suggests a need for heightened vigilance in securing properties during the festive period. The drop in anti-social behaviour—46% below the UK average—could reflect community efforts to manage public order during the busy holiday season.

The crime rate in December 2025 fell to 6.4 per 1,000, a 20.4% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.1 per 1,000. This decline places the area’s overall crime rate firmly below the UK average of 7.0 per 1,000, with an 8.6% gap maintained despite the spikes in violent and property crimes. On a daily basis, the area recorded one crime per day in December, a figure that translates to a monthly exposure rate of one reported crime for every 155 residents. This relatively low frequency suggests that the area’s population of 6,676 experiences crime at a slower pace than the UK average, even as specific categories like burglary and violence remain elevated. The 20.4% monthly reduction in crime may reflect the impact of seasonal factors, such as the closure of some retail outlets over the Christmas period or increased community engagement in crime prevention. However, the persistent above-average rates for violent and property crimes indicate that targeted interventions may still be necessary. For residents, the 1-in-155 monthly exposure rate provides a concrete measure of risk, though the uneven distribution of crime types underscores the need for localised strategies to address specific vulnerabilities.