Kempston Crime Rate November 2024 | Monthly Statistics

November 2024 saw Kempston’s crime rate reach 7.9 per 1,000, placing it 3.9% above the UK average of 7.6. This figure reflects a combination of seasonal pressures and local dynamics. The area’s most prevalent crime types were violence and sexual offences (33.1% of total crimes), followed by shoplifting (23.3%) and criminal damage and arson (11.0%). These patterns align with November’s seasonal rhythms: Black Friday shopping likely intensified retail theft, while shorter evenings and Bonfire Night may have contributed to increased public order incidents. Violence and sexual offences, though above the UK average, remained consistent with Kempston’s historical profile as a built-up area within Bedford, where community interactions and local services shape crime trends. Meanwhile, shoplifting’s stark 161% excess over the UK average underscores the impact of high-street retail density, particularly in areas near Kempston’s town centre. The data also reveals a nuanced picture of crime distribution, with property crimes (73) slightly outnumbering violent crimes (54), suggesting a balance between personal safety concerns and commercial security challenges. As the month progressed, the combination of festive preparations and the closure of schools may have influenced crime patterns, though no single factor dominates the overall picture. This context provides a foundation for understanding the month’s outcomes without overgeneralising the underlying causes.

November 2024 brought notable shifts in Kempston’s crime profile. Anti-social behaviour fell by 60% compared to October, dropping from 25 to 10 incidents—a significant reduction that may partly reflect increased community engagement or seasonal changes in social activity. Similarly, burglary decreased by 57.1%, with reported cases falling from 7 to 3. This decline could be linked to heightened awareness during the lead-up to Christmas, as households take extra precautions. Conversely, shoplifting saw a 38.5% rise in criminal damage and arson, likely driven by the timing of Bonfire Night and the heightened focus on property security during the festive season. Possession of weapons also surged by 100%, with incidents doubling from 1 to 2. This spike, while small in absolute terms, may indicate localized tensions or disruptions. Anti-social behaviour remained 55% below the UK average, a consistent trend that suggests Kempston’s community may have effective mechanisms for managing public conduct. Meanwhile, other theft plummeted by 81.8%, from 11 to 2 cases—a drop that could be attributed to improved retail security measures or reduced opportunities during the month. These fluctuations highlight the dynamic nature of crime in Kempston, where specific events and local conditions can rapidly alter the crime mix.

Kempston’s November 2024 crime rate of 7.9 per 1,000 marked a 9.9% decrease from October’s 8.8 per 1,000, indicating a notable improvement over the previous month. This decline aligns with a broader trend observed in similar built-up areas within Bedfordshire, where seasonal transitions often correlate with shifts in criminal activity. On a daily basis, Kempston recorded roughly 5 crimes per day over the 30-day period—a figure that, while not negligible, suggests a manageable level of activity for a community of 20,665 residents. The monthly exposure context further illustrates this: over the course of November, 1 in every 127 residents experienced a reported crime. This ratio, when compared to national averages, places Kempston within the expected range for a mid-sized urban area. above-UK-average rate underscores the need for continued vigilance. The population-scaled perspective also reveals that Kempston’s crime profile differs from the national picture in key areas. For instance, while anti-social behaviour remains 55% below the UK average, shoplifting is 161% above—a disparity that highlights the influence of local retail density and the impact of events like Black Friday. These contrasts reinforce the importance of tailored local strategies, as national benchmarks may not fully capture the unique challenges and successes of a specific area like Kempston.