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 March 2025 are around 533 as per the recent police data. This equates to a Forest of Dean crime rate of 6.13 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 Mar were:

  • Violence and sexual offences: (168) incidents (-24.32% decrease)
  • Anti-social behaviour: (138) incidents (39.39% increase)
  • Criminal damage and arson: (61) incidents (69.44% increase)
Forest of Dean Crime Hotspots

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

  • Petrol Station with total crimes: 12
  • Market Street with total crimes: 12
  • Bramble Close with total crimes: 9

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, Newent & Taynton (57 crimes), and the safest, Lydney North (1 crimes), is 56 crimes. This measurable difference indicates a some disparity in safety across Forest of Dean.

Similarly, the area of Cinderford (98 crimes) reports a significantly higher crime count compared to Tidenham & Woolaston (28 crimes), with a difference of 70 crimes. This measurable difference highlights the diverse crime landscape within Forest of Dean.

Most Dangerous Wards:

Newent & Taynton57
Lydney East56
Coleford51
Cinderford West51
Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook44

Safest Wards:

Dymock11
Newland & Sling9
Pillowell9
Lydbrook2
Lydney North1

Most Dangerous Areas:

Cinderford98
Lydney83
Coleford68
Newent57
Dymock, Hartpury & Huntley49

Safest Areas:

Mitcheldean, Drybrook & Ruardean44
Bream, Pillowell & Yorkley38
Longhope, Westbury & Blakeney34
Lydbrook, Newland & St Briavels34
Tidenham & Woolaston28

Forest of Dean Crime Statstics

In March 2025 the Forest of Dean has recorded 533 crimes with crime rate of 6.13 ranking 9703th out of 331 in the UK and ranked 5 out 331 in terms of total crimes and 5 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

CityMarch 202520242023
CrimesRank (Gloucestershire)CrimesRank (Gloucestershire)CrimesRank (Gloucestershire)
Cotswold505 66,439 66,092 6
Stroud715 48,973 48,126 5
Tewkesbury617 37,589 36,447 4
Cheltenham1,169 213,657 213,933 2
Gloucester1,636 120,188 117,655 1

Forest of Dean Crime Map

Detailed Crime Data Analysis

Monthly Trends

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).

July 2024 crime data shows Violence and sexual offences saw the largest number of reported crimes with 225 incidents, and Anti-social behaviour was another prevalent crime category with 115 incidents.

During June 2024, The highest incident rate was for Violence and sexual offences (438 reports) and Anti-social behaviour incidents were also notably high (280 cases).

Crime TypeCountCrime RateChange

Crime by Type

A total of 350 Criminal damage and arson incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 35.00 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Criminal damage and arson incidents with 78 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202561
February 202536
January 202520
December 202426
November 202425
October 202418
September 202431
August 202430
July 202425
June 202478

A total of 84 Drugs incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 8.40 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Drugs incidents with 18 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20254
February 20256
January 202510
December 20249
November 20248
October 202411
September 20247
August 20245
July 20246
June 202418

A total of 352 Other theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 35.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other theft incidents with 56 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202529
February 202532
January 202525
December 202434
November 202431
October 202433
September 202436
August 202433
July 202443
June 202456

A total of 182 Other crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 18.20 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Other crime incidents with 42 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202519
February 202516
January 202515
December 202410
November 202423
October 202418
September 202413
August 202410
July 202416
June 202442

A total of 2199 Violence and sexual offences incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 219.90 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Violence and sexual offences incidents with 438 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025168
February 2025222
January 2025222
December 2024196
November 2024193
October 2024177
September 2024174
August 2024184
July 2024225
June 2024438

A total of 4 Theft from the person incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 1.00 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Theft from the person incidents with 1 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20251
December 20241
October 20241
August 20241

A total of 128 Shoplifting incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 12.80 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Shoplifting incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202522
February 202519
January 20257
December 20243
November 202411
October 202416
September 202410
August 202417
July 20245
June 202418

A total of 21 Robbery incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 3.00 incidents per month. January 2025 saw the highest number of Robbery incidents with 8 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20253
February 20252
January 20258
December 20242
November 20241
August 20243
June 20242

A total of 143 Vehicle crime incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 14.30 incidents per month. March 2025 saw the highest number of Vehicle crime incidents with 22 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202522
February 202511
January 202511
December 202412
November 20247
October 202412
September 202420
August 202417
July 202415
June 202416

A total of 328 Public order incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 32.80 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Public order incidents with 46 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202532
February 202526
January 202525
December 202424
November 202429
October 202442
September 202433
August 202436
July 202435
June 202446

A total of 35 Possession of weapons incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 3.50 incidents per month. July 2024 saw the highest number of Possession of weapons incidents with 6 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 20254
February 20252
January 20253
December 20243
November 20241
October 20243
September 20245
August 20242
July 20246
June 20246

A total of 1259 Anti-social behaviour incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 125.90 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Anti-social behaviour incidents with 280 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 2025138
February 202599
January 2025117
December 202491
November 2024117
October 202498
September 202495
August 2024109
July 2024115
June 2024280

A total of 18 Bicycle theft incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 2.25 incidents per month. August 2024 saw the highest number of Bicycle theft incidents with 4 reported cases.

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

A total of 231 Burglary incidents were recorded over 10 month period, averaging 23.10 incidents per month. June 2024 saw the highest number of Burglary incidents with 48 reported cases.

MonthCount
March 202527
February 202520
January 202532
December 202415
November 202414
October 202414
September 202416
August 202423
July 202422
June 202448

High Crime Locations Forest of Dean in March 2025

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

1. Petrol Station (Map)
Total12
Shoplifting11
Bicycle theft1
2. Market Street (Map)
Total12
Anti-social behaviour9
Public order2
Other theft1
3. Bramble Close (Map)
Total9
Violence and sexual offences6
Public order3
4. High Street (Map)
Total9
Criminal damage and arson4
Anti-social behaviour4
Other crime1
5. Shopping Area (Map)
Total8
Anti-social behaviour3
Violence and sexual offences2
Shoplifting1
Other theft1
Criminal damage and arson1
6. Upper Bilson Road (Map)
Total7
Shoplifting3
Violence and sexual offences2
Robbery1
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.