Crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean): statistics, rates and trends
512 crimes were recorded in Coleford (Forest of Dean) in the 12 months to July 2026, 94.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean) at a glance
- Crime trends in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
- Types of crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
- Coleford (Forest of Dean) compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Coleford (Forest of Dean)
- Streets with the most crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
- What happened after crimes were reported in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
- Population and deprivation in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
- Questions about crime in Coleford (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.
512 crimes were recorded in Coleford (Forest of Dean) in the 12 months to July 2026, 94.1 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 14% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 172 reports (34% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Coleford (Forest of Dean) has the 426th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Coleford (Forest of Dean) | Forest of Dean | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 512 | 5,082 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 94.1 | 56.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -14% | -12% | -1% |
| Population | 5,442 | 89,753 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean) was highest in the year to July 2024 (677 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2026 (512). Over the whole period it fell 14%, 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 | 512 | 94.1 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 596 | 109.5 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 677 | 124.4 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 647 | 118.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 560 | 102.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 641 | 117.8 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 635 | 116.7 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 531 | 97.6 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 593 | 109.0 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| January 2026 | 36 |
| December 2025 | 28 |
| November 2025 | 34 |
| October 2025 | 53 |
| September 2025 | 61 |
| August 2025 | 44 |
| July 2025 | 63 |
| June 2025 | 80 |
| May 2025 | 50 |
| April 2025 | 53 |
| March 2025 | 40 |
| February 2025 | 54 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Coleford (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. Rates were well above the national level for anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and arson, other crime.
The largest increases were in other theft (+33%) and criminal damage and arson (+20%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-49%) and violence and sexual offences (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 172 | 31.6 | 0.92 | -21% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 130 | 23.9 | 1.56 | -21% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 54 | 9.9 | 1.46 | +20% |
| Other theft | 40 | 7.4 | 1.15 | +33% |
| Public order | 40 | 7.4 | 1.11 | -5% |
| Other crime | 20 | 3.7 | 1.74 | +25% |
| Shoplifting | 18 | 3.3 | 0.40 | -49% |
| Burglary | 16 | 2.9 | 0.83 | +23% |
| Drugs | 10 | 1.8 | 0.56 | -23% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.1 | 1.14 | +200% |
| Robbery | 2 | 0.4 | 0.27 | +100% |
| Theft from the person | 2 | 0.4 | 0.22 | +100% |
| Vehicle crime | 2 | 0.4 | 0.07 | -87% |
Violence and sexual offences in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 33.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 130 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (23.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 25.4% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 54 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (9.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 20% on the year before. It made up 10.5% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 40 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 5% on the year before. It made up 7.8% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.7 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 49% on the year before. It made up 3.5% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 23% on the year before. It made up 3.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 23% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 1.2% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and up 100% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean)
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 87% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Coleford (Forest of Dean), for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Coleford (Forest of Dean).
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Coleford (Forest of Dean) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monmouth | 1,006 | 90.8 | -3% |
| Cinderford | 718 | 79.5 | -16% |
| Lydney | 788 | 73.6 | -22% |
| Ross-on-Wye | 832 | 73.2 | -22% |
| Chepstow | 1,257 | 100.1 | +6% |
| Cam | 396 | 42.4 | -55% |
| Newent | 426 | 82.7 | -12% |
| Thornbury | 968 | 66.7 | -29% |
1 areas within Coleford (Forest of Dean), ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Coleford had the highest rate (79.4 per 1,000) and Coleford the lowest (79.4). 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coleford | Neighbourhood | 8,114 | 644 | 79.4 |
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 Coleford (Forest of Dean) over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Petrol Station | 18 |
| On or near High Street | 13 |
| On or near Crescent Close | 11 |
| On or near Phoenix Court | 11 |
| On or near St John'S Street | 11 |
| On or near Market Place | 10 |
| On or near Ruffet Close | 10 |
| On or near Parkside | 9 |
| On or near Scowles Road | 9 |
| On or near Buchanan Avenue | 8 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Coleford (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 | 89 | 34.8% |
| Not recorded | 65 | 25.4% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 48 | 18.8% |
| Status update unavailable | 41 | 16.0% |
| Local resolution | 7 | 2.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 1.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.8% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.4% |
Coleford (Forest of Dean) has an estimated population of 5,442. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Coleford (Forest of Dean) sits in decile 4.1, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Coleford (Forest of Dean) |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 17.9% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 57.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 24.3% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 61.7% |
| Social rented homes | 19.0% |
| Private rented homes | 19.2% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.1 |
Is Coleford (Forest of Dean) a safe place to live?
Coleford (Forest of Dean) recorded 94.1 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 Coleford (Forest of Dean)?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 172 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (130).
Is crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean) going up or down?
Recorded crime in Coleford (Forest of Dean) was down 14% on the year before: 512 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 596 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Coleford (Forest of Dean)?
Coleford (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 Coleford (Forest of Dean). Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.