Crime in Forest of Dean: statistics, rates and trends
5,082 crimes were recorded in Forest of Dean in the 12 months to July 2026, 56.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Forest of Dean at a glance
- Crime trends in Forest of Dean
- Types of crime in Forest of Dean
- Forest of Dean compared with nearby districts
- Areas within Forest of Dean
- Streets with the most crime in Forest of Dean
- What happened after crimes were reported in Forest of Dean
- Population and deprivation in Forest of Dean
- Questions about crime in Forest of Dean
- About this data
Note: Gloucestershire Police did not publish data for February 2026, March 2026, April 2026, May 2026, June 2026, July 2026. Twelve-month figures here are estimated from the months that were published.
5,082 crimes were recorded in Forest of Dean in the 12 months to July 2026, 56.6 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 12% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 2,098 reports (41% of the total).
Of the 308 districts covered by this site, Forest of Dean has the 279th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Forest of Dean | Gloucestershire | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 5,082 | 55,492 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 56.6 | 82.9 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -12% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 89,753 | 669,380 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Forest of Dean was highest in the year to July 2022 (6,223 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (4,944). Over the whole period it rose 1%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 5,082 | 56.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 5,801 | 64.6 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 6,003 | 66.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 6,192 | 69.0 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 6,223 | 69.3 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 5,991 | 66.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 6,083 | 67.8 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 4,944 | 55.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 5,036 | 56.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | 377 |
| December 2025 | 372 |
| November 2025 | 399 |
| October 2025 | 447 |
| September 2025 | 419 |
| August 2025 | 507 |
| July 2025 | 566 |
| June 2025 | 596 |
| May 2025 | 558 |
| April 2025 | 458 |
| March 2025 | 513 |
| February 2025 | 484 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Forest of Dean over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. The largest increases were in possession of weapons (+60%) and drugs (+23%).
The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-46%) and shoplifting (-27%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2,098 | 23.4 | 0.68 | -10% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 1,034 | 11.5 | 0.75 | -27% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 442 | 4.9 | 0.73 | +5% |
| Other theft | 324 | 3.6 | 0.56 | -7% |
| Public order | 298 | 3.3 | 0.50 | -22% |
| Burglary | 228 | 2.5 | 0.72 | +1% |
| Other crime | 180 | 2.0 | 0.95 | -1% |
| Vehicle crime | 138 | 1.5 | 0.31 | -13% |
| Shoplifting | 128 | 1.4 | 0.17 | -27% |
| Drugs | 106 | 1.2 | 0.36 | +23% |
| Possession of weapons | 56 | 0.6 | 0.64 | +60% |
| Robbery | 26 | 0.3 | 0.21 | +37% |
| Bicycle theft | 14 | 0.2 | 0.19 | -46% |
| Theft from the person | 10 | 0.1 | 0.07 | +25% |
Violence and sexual offences in Forest of Dean
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Forest of Dean recorded 2,098 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 10% on the year before. It made up 41.3% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Forest of Dean
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Forest of Dean recorded 1,034 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 20.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Forest of Dean
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Forest of Dean recorded 442 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 8.7% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Forest of Dean
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Forest of Dean recorded 324 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 7% on the year before. It made up 6.4% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Forest of Dean
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Forest of Dean recorded 298 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 5.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Forest of Dean
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Forest of Dean recorded 228 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Forest of Dean
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Forest of Dean recorded 180 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Forest of Dean
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Forest of Dean recorded 138 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 2.7% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Forest of Dean
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Forest of Dean recorded 128 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 2.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Forest of Dean
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Forest of Dean recorded 106 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Forest of Dean
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Forest of Dean recorded 56 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 60% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Forest of Dean
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Forest of Dean recorded 26 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 37% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Forest of Dean
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Forest of Dean recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 46% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Forest of Dean
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Forest of Dean recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 0.2% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the districts closest to Forest of Dean, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Forest of Dean.
| District | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Forest of Dean |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stroud | 7,940 | 63.2 | +12% |
| Gloucester | 18,390 | 132.7 | +134% |
| Monmouthshire | 7,550 | 79.5 | +40% |
| Tewkesbury | 5,868 | 57.6 | +2% |
| Cheltenham | 12,806 | 105.2 | +86% |
| Herefordshire, County of | 11,617 | 60.8 | +7% |
| South Gloucestershire | 23,957 | 78.2 | +38% |
| Torfaen | 11,796 | 125.3 | +121% |
47 areas within Forest of Dean, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Cinderford West had the highest rate (104.2 per 1,000) and Ruardean Woodside the lowest (15.3). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinderford West | Neighbourhood | 3,857 | 402 | 104.2 |
| Coleford (Forest of Dean) | Town | 5,442 | 512 | 94.1 |
| Drybrook | Town | 2,060 | 186 | 90.3 |
| Lydney East | Neighbourhood | 7,588 | 670 | 88.3 |
| Newent | Town | 5,152 | 426 | 82.7 |
| Cinderford | Town | 9,035 | 718 | 79.5 |
| Coleford | Neighbourhood | 8,114 | 644 | 79.4 |
| Lydney | Town | 10,703 | 788 | 73.6 |
| Newent & Taynton | Neighbourhood | 7,073 | 508 | 71.8 |
| Mitcheldean | Town | 1,257 | 82 | 65.2 |
| Ruardean | Town | 1,375 | 86 | 62.5 |
| Bream | Town | 3,197 | 198 | 61.9 |
| Bream | Neighbourhood | 3,197 | 198 | 61.9 |
| Berry Hill | Neighbourhood | 4,566 | 282 | 61.8 |
| Cinderford East | Neighbourhood | 5,178 | 316 | 61.0 |
| Berry Hill | Town | 1,579 | 96 | 60.8 |
| Broadwell and Coalway | Town | 2,933 | 176 | 60.0 |
| Ruspidge | Town | 2,105 | 120 | 57.0 |
| Woodcroft | Town | 1,418 | 80 | 56.4 |
| Mitcheldean, Ruardean & Drybrook | Neighbourhood | 8,092 | 428 | 52.9 |
| Lydney West & Aylburton | Neighbourhood | 2,956 | 152 | 51.4 |
| Ruspidge | Neighbourhood | 4,201 | 198 | 47.1 |
| Hartpury & Redmarley | Neighbourhood | 4,544 | 210 | 46.2 |
| Tutshill and Sedbury | Town | 3,285 | 150 | 45.7 |
| Westbury-on-Severn | Neighbourhood | 1,383 | 62 | 44.8 |
| Dymock | Town | 1,904 | 82 | 43.1 |
| Dymock | Neighbourhood | 1,904 | 82 | 43.1 |
| Sling | Town | 1,516 | 64 | 42.2 |
| Newland & Sling | Neighbourhood | 1,516 | 64 | 42.2 |
| Blakeney (Forest of Dean) | Town | 1,680 | 68 | 40.5 |
| Newnham | Neighbourhood | 3,497 | 140 | 40.0 |
| Newnham (Forest of Dean) | Town | 1,817 | 72 | 39.6 |
| Tidenham | Neighbourhood | 7,993 | 312 | 39.0 |
| Yorkley and Whitecroft | Town | 3,505 | 136 | 38.8 |
| Pillowell | Neighbourhood | 3,505 | 136 | 38.8 |
| Longhope | Town | 1,871 | 62 | 33.1 |
| Welsh Bicknor | Town | 1,620 | 52 | 32.1 |
| Lydbrook | Neighbourhood | 1,620 | 52 | 32.1 |
| Longhope & Huntley | Neighbourhood | 5,344 | 162 | 30.3 |
| Woolaston | Town | 1,660 | 50 | 30.1 |
| Milkwall | Town | 1,263 | 38 | 30.1 |
| Huntley | Town | 1,757 | 50 | 28.5 |
| Beachley | Town | 1,630 | 32 | 19.6 |
| Lydney North | Neighbourhood | 1,769 | 32 | 18.1 |
| St Briavels | Town | 1,856 | 32 | 17.2 |
| St. Briavels | Neighbourhood | 1,856 | 32 | 17.2 |
| Ruardean Woodside | Town | 1,833 | 28 | 15.3 |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Forest of Dean over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Parking Area | 105 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 46 |
| On or near High Street | 41 |
| On or near Mannings Road | 36 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 33 |
| On or near Broad Street | 32 |
| On or near Supermarket | 30 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 26 |
| On or near Park/Open Space | 21 |
| On or near Dent'S Lane | 19 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Forest of Dean over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 934 | 36.8% |
| Not recorded | 517 | 20.3% |
| Status update unavailable | 466 | 18.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 464 | 18.3% |
| Local resolution | 54 | 2.1% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 41 | 1.6% |
| Court result unavailable | 35 | 1.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.3% |
| Offender given a caution | 7 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.3% |
| Under investigation | 5 | 0.2% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 3 | 0.1% |
Forest of Dean has an estimated population of 89,753. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Forest of Dean sits in decile 5.3, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Forest of Dean |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 16.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 58.3% |
| Aged 65 and over | 25.6% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 73.5% |
| Social rented homes | 13.0% |
| Private rented homes | 13.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.3 |
Is Forest of Dean a safe place to live?
Forest of Dean recorded 56.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Forest of Dean?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 2,098 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (1,034).
Is crime in Forest of Dean going up or down?
Recorded crime in Forest of Dean was down 12% on the year before: 5,082 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 5,801 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Forest of Dean?
Forest of Dean is policed by Gloucestershire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Forest of Dean. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.