Crime has risen over the last year in the Forest of Dean, official police records reveal.

Gloucestershire Constabulary recorded 4,717 offences in the Forest of Dean in the 12 months to June, according to the Office for National Statistics.

That was an increase of ​41%​ compared to the previous year, when there were 3,353.

However, at 54.2 crimes per 1,000 people, that was far lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 91.3.

The figures come as a victim support group says “women deserve better” after a sharp rise in violent and sexual offences led to a record high for police-recorded crime in England and Wales.

Of the crimes recorded in the Forest of Dean over the last 12 months, 185 were sexual offences – an increase of 31% from the year before.

Meanwhile, violent crime has soared in the area, from 1,641 to 2,322 over this period.

One of the main factors behind this increase was the rise in stalking and harassment, which rose by 71%, from 611 incidents to 1,044.

Across England and Wales there were 70,600 rape offences recorded in the year to June, another record high and an increase of 20% from 59,046 in 2019-20.

The number has nearly doubled in just over six years, from 36,321 in 2015-16.

Reacting to the figures, Diana Fawcett, chief executive at the charity Victim Support, said: “This huge increase in sexual violence, in particular rape, reported to the police is seriously alarming and a stark reminder that the government needs to get a grip on staggeringly low conviction rates and horrendous court delays.

Nationally, domestic-abuse related offences totalled 912,181 in the year to June, up 6% on the previous 12 months and up 14% in 2019-20.

Some of this increase “may reflect improvements seen in recording and reporting over the last few years,” the ONS added.

And theft offences in the Forest of Dean rose by 40%, with 874 incidents recorded in the 12 months to June.

At 10.0 crimes per 1,000 people, that was far lower than the rate across England and Wales, which stood at 26.5.

Crimes recorded in the Forest of Dean included:

  • 185 sexual offences, a rise of 31%
  • 2,322 violent offences, a rise of 41%
  • 513 incidents of criminal damage and arson, up 29%
  • 104 drug offences, down 28%
  • 31 possession of weapons such as firearms or knives, an increase of one
  • 529 public order offences, up 92%
  • 874 theft offences, a rise of 40%
  • 1,044 stalking and harassment offences, up 71%

A Home Office spokesperson said: “It is good to see an 8% rise in the volume of charges for rape offences. However, the volume of rapes and sexual offences is very concerning.

“Some of the increase in reporting can be attributed to more victims coming forward, and we welcome that, as these crimes can all too often be hidden."

“We need the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to do more and raise the bar, so that victims know they will be taken seriously and the criminals responsible are put behind bars,” they added.

The Home Office said it was glad to see an increase in the number of charges for sexual offences, but was concerned by the rising number of offences.

A spokesperson said: “Some of the increase in reporting can be attributed to more victims coming forward, and we welcome that, as these crimes can all too often be hidden."

“We need the police and the Crown Prosecution Service to do more and raise the bar, so that victims know they will be taken seriously and the criminals responsible are put behind bars,” they added.