Kempston Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

For every 1,000 residents in Kempston, 8 crimes were reported in January 2026, placing the area 17.6% above the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000. This rate translates to one reported crime for every 125 residents over the course of the month, a figure that contextualises risk in everyday terms. Violence and sexual offences accounted for nearly 30% of all crimes, followed by shoplifting (12.7%) and criminal damage (10.3%). These patterns align with Kempston's character as a built-up area within Bedford, where retail and community hubs may contribute to property crime trends. January's post-holiday period and reduced retail footfall may partly explain the seasonal dip in outdoor crimes, though the persistence of violent crime suggests ongoing challenges in managing public safety. Shoplifting rates in Kempston were 75% above the UK average, a disparity that could reflect local retail dynamics or targeted criminal activity. The area's crime profile, while elevated compared to the UK, shows variation across offence types, with some categories like violence and sexual offences performing closer to national averages. This complexity underscores the need for nuanced analysis rather than broad generalisations about the area's safety.

January 2026 saw a 450% increase in 'other crime' reports, rising from 2 to 11 incidents. This category, which includes unclassified offences, was 212% above the UK average, suggesting potential gaps in reporting or categorisation. Shoplifting, meanwhile, surged by 133% compared to December, with 21 incidents recorded—a rate 75% above the UK average. This spike may be linked to seasonal factors, such as post-holiday retail activity or targeted thefts in local stores. In contrast, public order offences fell by 42.1%, from 19 to 11, a decline that could reflect reduced social gatherings during colder months. Violence and sexual offences also decreased by 21%, though they remained the most common category at 29.7% of all crimes. This drop may be attributed to shorter daylight hours limiting opportunities for certain types of crime. The data also reveals stark contrasts with the UK average: while Kempston's shoplifting rate was significantly higher, its violence and sexual offences rate was only 4% below the national figure. These variations highlight the importance of local context in interpreting crime statistics, as factors like community engagement, policing strategies, and economic conditions shape criminal activity in distinct ways.

Kempston's crime rate rose 11.5% from December 2025 (7.2 per 1,000 to 8.0 per 1,000), a shift that, while modest, suggests ongoing pressures on local policing and community safety initiatives. On a daily basis, 5 crimes were reported in January—a rate that, while not alarmingly high, represents a consistent presence of criminal activity in the area. When scaled to the population of 20,665 residents, this equates to one reported crime occurring for roughly every 125 residents over the course of the month. This monthly exposure figure provides a tangible measure of risk for residents, though it should be interpreted alongside broader contextual factors. For example, the 17.6% gap between Kempston's rate and the UK average must be understood in the context of the area's built-up nature and local demographics. While the UK average includes a mix of urban and rural areas, Kempston's higher density may naturally correlate with elevated crime rates. However, this does not diminish the significance of specific categories like shoplifting, which were 75% above the UK average—a disparity that warrants focused attention. The comparison with the UK also highlights areas of relative strength, such as the 4% below-average rate for violence and sexual offences, which may reflect effective policing strategies or community interventions in those categories.