Crime Rate in Forest of Dean: Trends, Hotspots

Overview of Crime in Forest of Dean

The total recorded crimes in Forest of Dean, UK in July 2025 are around 582 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Forest of Dean crime rate of 6.69 per 1,000 population.

It's important to note that this crime data is based on the Geographic Boundry data provided by the ONS around Forest of Dean, encompassing approximately 87,004 residents.

Most occured crime Types

The most prevalent crimes in the area during Jul were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (220) incidents (-9.47% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (169) incidents (-6.11% decrease)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (52) incidents (18.18% increase)
Forest of Dean Crime Hotspots

The surrounding areas of below locations have emerged as crime hotspots,

  • Phoenix Court with total crimes: 10
  • Parking Area with total crimes: 9
  • Southend Lane with total crimes: 8

Forest of Dean Police Info:

Gloucestershire Constabulary

How safe is Forest of Dean?

To understand the safety of Forest of Dean, we need to analyze Forest of Dean crime statistics in relation to both national and regional averages. This report will examine the available data and provide a balanced assessment.

  • Relative to the UK:

    • Forest of Dean has recorded 6,372 crimes in the current year, resulting in a crime rate of 73.24 per 1,000 residents. This places it at rank 245 out of 331 in the UK, indicating it is safer than average.

    • Yearly trends show that in the previous year, the city recorded 6,338 crimes with a crime rate of 72.85, ranking it 228 in the UK. This an increase in crime suggests Negative changes.

  • Relative to Gloucestershire:

    • In 2024, Forest of Dean demonstrated a lower crime volume than the Gloucestershire average, with 6372 crimes compared to 10536.0. This suggests a relatively safer position within the region for the year. Furthermore, Forest of Dean witnessed more crimes than 5 out of 5 other cities.

    • In 2023, Forest of Dean had fewer crimes than the Gloucestershire average, with 6,338 crimes compared to 9,765. This reflects a relatively lower crime rate for the city within the region that year. Furthermore, Forest of Dean witnessed more crimes than 4 out of 5 other cities.

  • Overall Assessment:

    • Based on the available data, Forest of Dean is considered safer compared to the national averages.

    • Compared to other cities in Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean has a lower crime rate in 2024.

    • The trend in crime rates suggests Negative changes in overall safety.

Forest of Dean Crime Analysis: Ward & Area

The difference in crime rates between the most dangerous ward, Lydney East (72 crimes), and the safest, Westbury-on-Severn (1 crimes), is 71 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Forest of Dean.

Similarly, the area of Cinderford (131 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Lydbrook, Newland & St Briavels (18 crimes), with a difference of 113 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Forest of Dean.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Lydney East72
Coleford71
Newent & Taynton58
Cinderford East58
Cinderford West49

Safest Wards:

Dymock10
Newland & Sling9
Lydney North5
Lydbrook4
Westbury-on-Severn1

Most Dangerous Areas:

Cinderford131
Lydney98
Coleford86
Newent58
Bream, Pillowell & Yorkley54

Safest Areas:

Dymock, Hartpury & Huntley44
Mitcheldean, Drybrook & Ruardean43
Tidenham & Woolaston25
Longhope, Westbury & Blakeney25
Lydbrook, Newland & St Briavels18

Forest of Dean Crime Statstics

In July 2025 the Forest of Dean has recorded 582 crimes with crime rate of 6.69 ranking 249th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 5 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 3 in terms of crime rate in Gloucestershire.

In 2024, the total Forest of Dean crimes were 6,372. The crime rate of Forest of Dean in 2024 was 73.24 (year) or 6.10 (month) ranking it 245 danzarous in the UK. Forest of Dean ranked 6 in terms of total crimes and 5 in terms of crime rate in Gloucestershire.

In 2023, the total crimes in Forest of Dean were around 6,338 crimes with yearly crime rate of 72.85 (year) or 6.07 (month) ranking 228 out 331 most dangerous city in the UK. As compared to neighboring cities in Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean ranked 5 out 331 in terms of total crimes or 3 as per crime rate of Forest of Dean

CityJuly 202520242023
CrimesRank (Gloucestershire)CrimesRank (Gloucestershire)CrimesRank (Gloucestershire)
Cotswold549 66,439 66,092 6
Stroud786 58,973 48,126 5
Tewkesbury583 47,589 36,447 4
Cheltenham1,080 213,657 213,933 2
Gloucester1,665 120,188 117,655 1

Forest of Dean Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

July 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 220 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 169 incidents.

During June 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (243 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (180 cases).

In May 2025, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (239 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (136 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (163 incidents) were the most common in April 2025, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (105 incidents) also being high.

For March 2025 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (168 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (138 incidents).

February 2025 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 222 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 99 incidents.

During January 2025, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (222 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (117 cases).

December 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 196 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 91 incidents.

During November 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (193 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (117 cases).

In October 2024, Violence and sexual offences dominated crime reports (177 incidents), followed by Anti-social behaviour also remained a significant concern (98 incidents).

Recorded incidents of Violence and sexual offences were the most frequent (174 incidents) were the most common in September 2024, with There was a large number of incidents involving Anti-social behaviour (95 incidents) also being high.

For August 2024 , the most reported crimes were Most crimes reported were Violence and sexual offences (184 incidents) and then Anti-social behaviour showed a substantial number of incidents (109 incidents).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 185 Other crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.42 incidents per month. November 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 23 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202511
June 202516
May 202519
April 202515
March 202519
February 202516
January 202515
December 202410
November 202423
October 202418
September 202413
August 202410

A total of 21 Robbery incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.62 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
April 20251
March 20253
February 20252
January 20258
December 20242
November 20241
August 20243

A total of 429 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 35.75 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 61 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202552
June 202544
May 202538
April 202548
March 202561
February 202536
January 202520
December 202426
November 202425
October 202418
September 202431
August 202430

A total of 2401 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 200.08 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 243 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025220
June 2025243
May 2025239
April 2025163
March 2025168
February 2025222
January 2025222
December 2024196
November 2024193
October 2024177
September 2024174
August 2024184

A total of 170 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 14.17 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202514
June 202511
May 202515
April 202518
March 202522
February 202511
January 202511
December 202412
November 20247
October 202412
September 202420
August 202417

A total of 90 Drugs incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 7.50 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 13 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20256
June 20254
May 202513
April 20257
March 20254
February 20256
January 202510
December 20249
November 20248
October 202411
September 20247
August 20245

A total of 400 Public order incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 33.33 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 47 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202541
June 202547
May 202532
April 202533
March 202532
February 202526
January 202525
December 202424
November 202429
October 202442
September 202433
August 202436

A total of 35 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.92 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 5 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20255
June 20251
May 20253
April 20253
March 20254
February 20252
January 20253
December 20243
November 20241
October 20243
September 20245
August 20242

A total of 240 Burglary incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 20.00 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 32 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202513
June 202521
May 202525
April 202520
March 202527
February 202520
January 202532
December 202415
November 202414
October 202414
September 202416
August 202423

A total of 26 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 2.60 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 4 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20253
June 20253
May 20253
April 20254
March 20253
February 20251
January 20251
December 20241
October 20243
August 20244

A total of 1454 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 121.17 incidents per month. June 2025 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 180 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 2025169
June 2025180
May 2025136
April 2025105
March 2025138
February 202599
January 2025117
December 202491
November 2024117
October 202498
September 202495
August 2024109

A total of 181 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 15.08 incidents per month. April 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 27 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202515
June 202515
May 202519
April 202527
March 202522
February 202519
January 20257
December 20243
November 202411
October 202416
September 202410
August 202417

A total of 8 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. July 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 20251
June 20251
May 20251
April 20251
March 20251
December 20241
October 20241
August 20241

A total of 376 Other theft incidents were recorded over 12 month period, averaging 31.33 incidents per month. May 2025 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 37 reported cases.

MonthCount
July 202531
June 202532
May 202537
April 202523
March 202529
February 202532
January 202525
December 202434
November 202431
October 202433
September 202436
August 202433

High Crime Locations Forest of Dean in July 2025

A detailed breakdown of crime incidents by location within the Forest of Dean postcode area is presented below.

1. Phoenix Court (Map)
Total10
Anti-social behaviour4
Violence and sexual offences3
Criminal damage and arson2
Possession of weapons1
2. Parking Area (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences5
Public order2
Other theft1
Other crime1
3. Southend Lane (Map)
Total8
Violence and sexual offences5
Anti-social behaviour3
4. Supermarket (Map)
Total8
Anti-social behaviour4
Public order3
Shoplifting1
5. High Street (Map)
Total7
Shoplifting3
Criminal damage and arson2
Anti-social behaviour2
6. Meadow View (Map)
Total6
Violence and sexual offences3
Anti-social behaviour2
Public order1

  • Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
  • Contains Office for National Statistics data licensed under the Open Government Licence v.3.0
  • Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.