Kempston Crime Rate July 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Kempston's crime rate in July 2023 stood at 7.1 per 1,000 residents, placing it 14.5% below the UK average of 8.3. This built-up area within Bedford, characterised by a mix of residential zones and commercial hubs, saw violence and sexual offences dominate the crime profile, accounting for 39% of all reported incidents. Anti-social behaviour and public order offences followed closely, reflecting patterns common in areas with active community spaces and seasonal events. The summer months, marked by festivals and extended daylight hours, often correlate with increased public order issues, consistent with Kempston's historical data. Violence and sexual offences, at 2.8 per 1,000, were slightly above the UK average for this category (2.8 per 1,000), suggesting local factors may contribute to this trend. Anti-social behaviour, however, remained 8% below the UK average, possibly due to community policing initiatives or lower population density in certain areas. The seasonal context of July—peak tourism, school holidays, and outdoor events—likely amplifies activity in public spaces, which may explain the higher incidence of public order offences compared to other months. This aligns with broader patterns observed in similar built-up areas during summer, where transient populations and increased foot traffic can strain local resources. The overall crime rate, while lower than the UK average, highlights the need for targeted interventions in high-impact categories such as violence and public order, which could benefit from enhanced community engagement and event management strategies.

The most striking shift in July 2023 was a 58.3% increase in public order offences, rising from 12 to 19 incidents. This surge, though still below the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), contrasts sharply with the 50% rise in criminal damage and arson (8 to 12 cases). These changes may reflect heightened activity during summer festivals or increased alcohol-related incidents in public spaces. Conversely, several categories saw notable declines: drugs offences fell 69.2% (13 to 4), burglary dropped 66.7% (3 to 1), and bicycle theft also decreased by 66.7% (3 to 1). The sharp reduction in burglary could be linked to improved home security measures or reduced overnight stays during the school holiday period. Violence and sexual offences, while remaining 1% above the UK average (2.8 per 1,000), did not follow the same downward trend as other categories, suggesting persistent challenges in addressing interpersonal crime. Residents may find the 50% drop in shoplifting (from 10 to 7 cases) noteworthy, indicating potential success in retail security measures or reduced opportunities for theft during warmer weather. The data also shows anti-social behaviour remains 8% below the UK average, a consistent trend that may be attributable to local community policing efforts or lower population density in certain areas.

Kempston's crime rate in July 2023 (7.1 per 1,000) marked a 5.7% decrease from the previous month's rate of 7.5, reflecting a continued downward trend. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day over the 31-day period, a figure that contextualises the monthly total of 146 incidents. When scaled to the population of 20,665 residents, this translates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 142 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure rate provides a tangible measure of risk for local residents, though it must be noted that this is an aggregate statistic and does not account for variations in individual risk factors. The comparison to the previous month highlights a modest but consistent reduction in overall crime, which may be influenced by seasonal factors such as the closure of schools and the associated decrease in youth-related activity. However, the sharp increase in public order offences suggests that while overall crime may be declining, specific categories remain vulnerable to fluctuations tied to summer events. The population-scaled perspective also underscores the importance of targeted interventions in high-risk areas, particularly where crime rates deviate significantly from the UK average, such as the 45% above UK average for public order offences. This data reinforces the need for a nuanced approach to crime prevention that balances broader trends with localised challenges.