Kempston Crime Rate February 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Kempston's built-up area recorded 165 crimes in February 2024, translating to a crime rate of 8.0 per 1,000 residents—12.7% above the UK average of 7.1. This figure, for a population of 20,665, highlights the area's relatively higher vulnerability compared to the national benchmark. The crime profile reveals a stark dominance of violent offences, which accounted for 71 incidents (43% of total) and remain 36% above the UK average. Public order crimes (19 incidents) and shoplifting (16 incidents) followed closely, with both categories exceeding national rates by 84% and 48% respectively. These patterns align with Kempston's character as a small urban centre with a mix of residential and commercial zones, where high foot traffic and proximity to Bedford's retail corridors may contribute to shoplifting and public order issues. The seasonal context of February—marked by low outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull—may have amplified indoor gatherings and associated violent incidents. However, the data also shows significant variation across crime types: drug-related offences, now at 10 incidents (0.5 per 1,000), are 138% above the UK average, suggesting local factors such as proximity to transport routes or social networks. In contrast, criminal damage and arson (10 incidents) and anti-social behaviour (9 incidents) are 7% and 62% below UK averages respectively, reflecting community-focused initiatives or seasonal patterns. The overall rate, while elevated, is tempered by lower-than-average levels in certain categories, indicating a combination of local dynamics and broader national trends.

February 2024 saw a dramatic 500% increase in burglary cases, rising from 1 to 6 incidents. This spike, alongside a 400% surge in drug-related crimes (2 to 10) and a 100% rise in theft from the person (0 to 1), indicates a significant shift in crime patterns. Violent crimes, which make up 43% of all incidents, remain 36% above the UK average, with violence and sexual offences at 3.4 per 1,000 residents. Anti-social behaviour decreased by 57.1% (21 to 9), a drop that may reflect targeted interventions or seasonal factors. The sharp rise in drug crimes—now at 0.5 per 1,000—places Kempston 138% above the UK average for this category. These trends contrast with declines in anti-social behaviour and other theft, which fell by 33.3% and 27% respectively. Residents should be aware of the increased focus on property crimes, particularly burglary, which now constitutes 3.6% of total incidents, up from negligible levels in January.

Kempston's crime rate in February 2024 rose to 8.0 per 1,000 residents, marking a 12.2% increase from January's 7.1 per 1,000. This shift translates to roughly 6 crimes reported daily within the built-up area, a figure that reflects both the local population density and the month's specific dynamics. Over the course of February, one crime occurred for every 125 residents—a monthly exposure rate that highlights the frequency of incidents in a community of 20,665. While this rate is higher than the UK average, the daily figure provides a more immediate context for residents: approximately 6 incidents per day, distributed across a mix of violent, property, and public order crimes. This scale underscores the importance of localized crime prevention strategies, particularly in areas where the population density and crime type distribution create unique challenges. The comparison to the previous month also reveals a significant upward trend, suggesting that factors such as seasonal changes or local events may have contributed to the increase.