Kempston Crime Rate July 2024 | Monthly Statistics

July 2024 marked a significant shift in Kempston’s crime profile, driven by a 300% surge in vehicle crime — the most dramatic month-on-month change recorded. The overall crime rate for the built-up area stood at 7.9 per 1,000 residents, placing Kempston 6% below the UK average of 8.4 per 1,000. This figure reflects a combination of seasonal factors and local dynamics, with summer festivals and extended daylight hours likely contributing to higher visibility of certain offences. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 31.1% of all crimes, followed by anti-social behaviour (21.3%) and shoplifting (11.0%). These patterns align with Kempston’s character as a mixed-use area with retail centres and community spaces that attract both residents and visitors. The seasonal context of July — peak summer, schools out, and festivals — may have amplified public order issues and anti-social behaviour, though the area’s lower burglary rates (2.4% of total crimes) suggest a relatively secure environment for property. The UK average comparison highlights Kempston’s performance in reducing violent crime, with rates for violence and sexual offences 12% below the national benchmark, though anti-social behaviour remains 17% above the UK average. This disparity underscores the need for targeted interventions in community engagement and public space management.

The most striking development in July 2024 was the 300% increase in vehicle crime, rising from 3 to 12 incidents. This jump, while unusual, may be linked to increased summer traffic and open-air events that temporarily disrupt usual parking patterns. Conversely, burglary fell sharply by 55.6% (from 9 to 4), potentially reflecting heightened community vigilance or seasonal deterrence factors. Anti-social behaviour remained a persistent concern, contributing 21.3% of all crimes and 17% above the UK average — a figure that may be exacerbated by Kempston’s mix of residential and commercial zones. Shoplifting rose 32% above the UK average (0.9 per 1,000), influenced by retail activity during July. The sharp 100% increase in robbery (from 0 to 1) and possession of weapons (from 1 to 2) highlights pockets of risk that warrant closer scrutiny. These shifts illustrate a crime mix that remains heavily weighted toward public order issues, with property crime accounting for 46.3% of total incidents (56 crimes) compared to 31.1% for violent crime. Residents may find the 12% reduction in violence and sexual offences from the UK average (2.5 per 1,000 vs 2.9 per 1,000) a reassuring statistic, though the area’s anti-social behaviour rates suggest opportunities for improvement.

Kempston’s crime rate in July 2024 (7.9 per 1,000) represented an 18.7% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 9.8 per 1,000, a decline that may reflect seasonal lulls in certain crime types. On a daily basis, the area saw an average of 5 crimes reported each day in July — a figure that, while modest, underscores the ongoing need for community policing. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 126 residents, a monthly exposure rate that places Kempston in the lower half of UK built-up areas. This statistic is particularly meaningful for local residents, as it contextualises the likelihood of encountering crime in daily life. The population-scaled perspective reveals that Kempston’s crime profile, while slightly below the UK average, still exhibits areas of divergence — in anti-social behaviour and shoplifting — that may require tailored strategies. The contrast between Kempston’s reduced burglary rates (35% below the UK average) and its elevated anti-social behaviour rates (17% above) highlights the importance of addressing localised factors such as community cohesion and public space management. These comparisons provide a nuanced view of Kempston’s position within the broader UK crime profile.