Kempston Crime Rate February 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For a population of 20,665, Kempston recorded 152 crimes in February 2026, translating to 7.4 crimes per 1,000 residents. This rate is 15.6% higher than the UK average of 6.4 per 1,000, marking Kempston as an area with elevated crime levels compared to the national benchmark. The most prevalent crime category was violence and sexual offences, accounting for 36.2% of all reported incidents (55 cases). This was followed by shoplifting (15.1%) and anti-social behaviour (13.8%). These figures suggest a combination of factors, including the area’s built-up nature and potential concentrations of social activity. Seasonal context may also play a role: February, a winter month with reduced outdoor activity, could contribute to the prominence of indoor-related crimes such as violence and anti-social behaviour. However, the persistence of shoplifting—90% above the UK average—hints at specific local dynamics, linked to retail hubs or high foot traffic areas within Kempston. The overall crime profile contrasts with the pre-spring lull typically observed in colder months, indicating that local conditions may override broader seasonal trends. While direct causes, the elevated rates of violence and property crime suggest a need for targeted interventions in areas with concentrated social or economic pressures.

February 2026 saw sharp spikes in specific crime categories, with possession of weapons surging by 300% (from 1 to 4 cases) and theft from the person doubling (from 0 to 2). These increases, though limited in absolute numbers, highlight pockets of concern, particularly given the 186% national average excess for weapon possession. Conversely, other crime categories declined notably: other crime dropped by 72.7% (from 11 to 3) and drug-related incidents fell by 50% (from 8 to 4). This shift may reflect temporary factors such as the end of a specific event or seasonal lulls affecting certain crime types. The balance between property and violent crime also shifted: while property crimes (52) accounted for 34.2% of total incidents, violent crimes (55) dominated at 36.2%, marking a slight increase in violent crime share compared to previous months. Shoplifting remained 90% above the UK average (0.6 per 1,000), a figure that could be tied to Kempston’s retail infrastructure or enforcement patterns. Residents might find the 1-in-136 resident monthly exposure rate (based on 152 crimes for 20,665 people) a useful metric for contextualising risk, though this is a monthly aggregate and not a daily frequency.

Kempston’s crime rate in February 2026 (7.4 per 1,000) marked a 7.8% decrease from the previous month’s rate of 8.0 per 1,000, indicating a short-term dip despite the overall elevation compared to the UK average. This decline aligns with the pre-spring lull typical of winter months, where reduced outdoor activity and shorter daylight hours may limit opportunities for certain crimes. However, the monthly exposure figure—1 crime for every 136 residents—still places Kempston in a higher-risk bracket than many similar-sized areas. On a daily basis, the area experienced approximately 5 crimes per day, a figure that, while modest, reflects the concentrated nature of reported incidents. When scaled to the population, the 7.4 per 1,000 rate means that, over the course of the month, 152 crimes were spread across 20,665 residents, creating a tangible sense of local impact. The previous month’s rate, though slightly higher, suggests that Kempston’s crime patterns are subject to fluctuation, possibly influenced by factors such as school holidays, seasonal events, or changes in police resource allocation. This monthly comparison underscores the importance of viewing crime data within a broader temporal context rather than as isolated figures.