Kempston Crime Rate June 2024 | Monthly Statistics

Kempston's crime profile in June 2024 reveals a combination of violent and property crimes, with anti-social behaviour and public order offences dominating the landscape. The overall crime rate of 9.8 per 1,000 residents places the area 19.5% above the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a disparity that has persisted despite recent fluctuations. Violence and sexual offences accounted for 26.2% of all reported crimes, a figure slightly below the UK average of 2.8 per 1,000 (2.6 per 1,000 in Kempston). However, anti-social behaviour—accounting for 23.3% of incidents—was 64% above the UK average of 1.4 per 1,000, suggesting localised challenges in community management. Public order offences, at 12.9% of total crimes, were 113% above the UK average, a stark contrast to the national figure of 0.6 per 1,000. This imbalance may reflect the area's character as a built-up district within Bedford, where high foot traffic and seasonal factors like the start of summer could contribute to increased public disorder. Shoplifting (10.4% of crimes) and criminal damage (9.4%) also exceeded UK averages by 61% and 48% respectively, linked to retail activity and property vulnerability in a densely populated area. The data highlights a need for targeted interventions in public spaces and community engagement to address the disproportionate rise in anti-social and public order incidents.

June 2024 saw a striking 136.4% increase in public order offences, rising from 11 to 26 cases. This surge, combined with a 100% rise in theft from the person (from 0 to 2 incidents), suggests heightened tensions in public spaces. Anti-social behaviour, already 64% above the UK average, remained the second most common crime type, accounting for 23.3% of all reported incidents. Vehicle crime fell by 62.5% (from 8 to 3 cases), potentially reflecting changes in parking patterns or increased security measures. Meanwhile, drugs offences dropped by 33.3%, though this category remains only 5% below the UK average. The sharp rise in public order offences may indicate seasonal pressures, such as the start of summer and increased foot traffic in local areas.

Kempston's crime rate in June 2024 rose to 9.8 per 1,000 residents, a 3.1% increase from the previous month's 9.5 per 1,000. This places the area 19.5% above the UK average of 8.2 per 1,000, a gap that has remained consistent over recent months. On a daily basis, Kempston saw roughly seven crimes reported each day in June, a figure that, while locally relevant, does not directly compare to UK-wide averages due to regional variations in reporting and population density. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 102 residents, highlighting the frequency of incidents in a relatively small population. This monthly exposure rate underscores the need for community awareness, particularly given the spikes in public order offences and anti-social behaviour. While the rate is higher than the UK average, the breakdown of crime types reveals specific local challenges that differ from national trends.