Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook recorded a crime rate of 7.8 per 1,000 residents in January 2026, placing the area 14.7% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This figure underscores a persistent challenge in maintaining local safety relative to national benchmarks. The top crime types were violence and sexual offences (19 incidents, 36.5% of total), anti-social behaviour (7 cases, 13.5%), and public order offences (6 cases, 11.5%). These categories collectively account for 61.5% of all reported crimes, reflecting a pattern that may be influenced by the area’s character as a built-up district within a rural landscape. The seasonal context of January—marked by post-holiday periods, shorter daylight hours, and reduced retail activity—likely contributes to the prominence of anti-social and public order offences. Violence and sexual offences, which are 16% above the UK average, may be exacerbated by the social dynamics of a smaller, closely-knit community, where incidents can escalate quickly. Anti-social behaviour, 18% above the UK average, may be linked to the area’s limited nightlife infrastructure, which could drive such activity into public spaces. Public order offences, however, are strikingly 114% above the UK average, a discrepancy that may reflect local enforcement priorities or the specific nature of incidents in this area. The relatively low rate of shoplifting (0.6 per 1,000) suggests that retail-focused crimes are not a major concern, due to the area’s limited commercial presence. These patterns illustrate a crime profile shaped by both geographic and seasonal factors, requiring targeted strategies to address the most pressing local challenges.

The most striking change in January 2026 was a 200% increase in criminal damage and arson, rising from 1 to 3 incidents. This sharp jump, though still low in absolute terms, suggests a potential shift in local patterns, possibly linked to seasonal factors or unaddressed community tensions. Anti-social behaviour also saw a significant rise, increasing by 133% from 3 to 7 cases, which may reflect changes in community engagement or enforcement activity. Meanwhile, public order offences doubled, with 6 incidents reported—a 100% increase from the previous month. This category is 114% above the UK average, highlighting a localised challenge. Conversely, burglary rates dropped by 57.1%, from 7 to 3 cases, a decline that may indicate effective policing or reduced opportunities for such crimes. Other theft also fell by 50%, from 4 to 2 cases, though this category remains 35% below the UK average. These contrasting trends illustrate a combination of specific crime types and broader contextual factors.

The crime rate in Blythe Bridge and Forsbrook rose by 21.0% in January 2026, from 6.4 to 7.8 per 1,000 residents. This places the area 14.7% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. On a daily basis, 2 crimes were reported each day in January, a figure that reflects local patterns rather than broader national trends. Over the course of the month, one crime occurred for every 128 residents, a metric that contextualises the monthly exposure for the population of 6,676. This rate is higher than the previous month, suggesting a shift in local dynamics. The population-scaled perspective highlights that while the absolute number of crimes remains relatively low, the proportional increase relative to the UK average warrants attention. The daily crime count, though modest, indicates a consistent presence of criminal activity that may align with seasonal factors such as post-holiday periods and reduced retail footfall. These figures, when considered alongside the breakdown of crime types, provide a clearer picture of how the area’s crime profile compares to national averages.