Kempston Crime Rate October 2023 | Monthly Statistics

Kempston’s crime profile in October 2023 reveals a combination of localized spikes and broader trends. The area’s overall crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents—3.7% below the UK average—suggests a generally safer environment than the national benchmark. However, violence and sexual offences stood out as a significant outlier, with 64 incidents reported (40.3% of total crimes), a figure 15% higher than the UK average. This category, which includes assault and sexual offences, likely reflects the area’s social dynamics, such as the density of public spaces or the presence of high-traffic areas where conflicts may escalate. Anti-social behaviour, at 23 incidents (14.5% of total), and shoplifting (15 cases, 9.4%) further shaped the crime profile, though both categories showed mixed comparisons to UK averages. Anti-social behaviour was 14% below the national rate, potentially due to local initiatives or community engagement, while shoplifting was 21% above, linked to the proximity of retail hubs or seasonal pressures like Halloween. Seasonal factors may also have influenced patterns: darker evenings in October could have contributed to increased incidents of violence and anti-social behaviour, as visibility decreases and community activities shift indoors. Conversely, the lower-than-average rates for public order offences (15% below UK average) and vehicle crime (42% below) may be tied to Kempston’s built-up nature, which typically sees fewer car-related crimes compared to more sprawling or rural areas. The balance between violent and property crimes—64% violent versus 36% property—suggests a focus on interpersonal issues rather than economic motivations, though this may change with the approach of the holiday season and associated retail activity.

October saw a 64.3% increase in anti-social behaviour, rising from 14 to 23 incidents. This jump, coupled with a 100% rise in possession of weapons (from 1 to 2), indicates potential tensions in public spaces or unmet community needs. Conversely, burglary fell by 43.8% (from 16 to 9), possibly reflecting improved security measures or seasonal deterrence linked to shorter evenings. Drug-related offences also declined by 33.3%, though this may not signal a long-term trend. Violence and sexual offences remained 15% above the UK average, despite Kempston’s overall rate being slightly below the national figure. These disparities suggest that certain crime types—particularly those tied to interpersonal conflict—are concentrated in the area. Residents might find the 15% increase in shoplifting (21% above UK average) relevant, as it could impact local businesses during the late October shopping period.

Kempston’s crime rate in October 2023 remained stable compared to September, with a 1.9% increase from 7.6 to 7.7 per 1,000 residents. This consistency suggests no major shifts in overall criminal activity, though localized changes in specific categories warrant closer attention. On a daily basis, 5 crimes were reported over the 31-day period, translating to roughly one incident for every 130 residents across the month. This monthly exposure figure provides context for residents: over the course of October, a resident had a 1-in-130 chance of being directly involved in a reported crime. When scaled to Kempston’s population of 20,665, this rate underscores that the area remains relatively safe compared to the UK average, despite pockets of elevated activity in certain offence types. The stability in the overall rate contrasts with fluctuations in specific crime categories, such as the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour and possession of weapons, which may reflect seasonal or community-specific factors.