Kempsford Crime Rate

Crime in Kempsford

Kempsford is a notably safe residential settlement, characterised by an overall crime rate of 45.8 per 1,000 people. This figure is significantly lower than the UK average of 93.1, earning the area a high safety score of 88/100. Despite this positive standing, the area has experienced an increasing trend in criminal activity, with a 48.6% rise year-over-year. While the absolute number of incidents remains low due to the small population of approximately 1,200 residents, the recent upward shift suggests a need for increased local awareness. The following data provides a detailed look at the types of crime occurring in Kempsford and how it compares to the wider regional context.

Crime Breakdown in Kempsford

Violence and sexual offences represent the most significant portion of local crime, accounting for 25 incidents or 45.5% of the total. This is followed by 'other theft' at 14.6% and public order offences at 12.7%. When examining property-related crime collectively—which includes burglary, vehicle crime, and various forms of theft—the rate stands at 11.7 per 1,000 residents. This is substantially lower than the UK average of 32.9, suggesting that while theft is a present factor, the volume remains relatively low. For homeowners, this indicates that while the area is statistically safe, vehicle crime (9.1% of total) and general theft are the primary property risks to manage.

Crime Trends in Kempsford

The crime rate in Kempsford has seen a notable increase of 48.6% compared to the previous 12-month period. This upward trend is reflected in the monthly data, which shows several spikes throughout 2025. Specifically, July 2025 saw a peak rate of 6.7 per 1,000 residents, followed by another significant rise to 5.8 in October. Conversely, the early months of 2025 (February and March) were exceptionally quiet, with rates as low as 0.8. These fluctuations are common in small communities where a single spree of incidents can significantly impact the percentage trend, but the overall trajectory suggests a more active year than the previous one.

How To Keep Safe in Kempsford

The most prevalent crime type in Kempsford is violence and sexual offences, which often includes domestic incidents or low-level altercations. To maintain personal safety in the village, consider the following advice:

• Stay Aware in Public Spaces: Although the area is safe, stay alert when walking alone at night, particularly in less-lit rural pathways.
• Secure Your Vehicles: With vehicle crime making up 9.1% of incidents, always ensure your car is locked and no valuables are left on display, especially during the night.
• Community Watch: Engage with local neighbourhood watch schemes to stay informed about any suspicious activity or recent spikes in local theft.
• Home Visibility: Ensure the front of your property is well-lit with motion-sensor lighting to discourage loitering and opportunistic 'other theft' incidents.
• Report Suspicious Activity: Small communities rely on residents reporting unusual behaviour to the police promptly to prevent minor issues from escalating.

Time Patterns of Crime in Kempsford

Crime in Kempsford follows distinct temporal patterns. During the morning (6am - 12pm) and afternoon (12pm - 6pm), the majority of criminal activity is related to theft, which accounts for 71% and 86% of incidents in those periods respectively. As the day transitions into the evening and night, there is a sharp pivot toward vehicle crime. Between 6pm and midnight, vehicle crime rises to 40% of activity, and it peaks during the late-night hours (12am - 6am), where it constitutes 75% of all recorded incidents. This suggests that property is most vulnerable during the hours of darkness when residents are asleep.

Nearby Area Comparison

When compared to other settlements in the Cotswold region, Kempsford sits at a moderate level. It is marginally safer than Highworth, which has a crime rate of 47.2 per 1,000. However, it experiences more activity than Fairford, where the rate is lower at 30.6. Interestingly, very close neighbours such as Dunfield and Meysey Hampton report 0.0 crimes per 1,000 people, though these figures often reflect extremely small populations where even a single incident would cause a significant statistical spike. For those looking for the safest local options, Fairford and the surrounding rural hamlets offer the lowest rates, while Kempsford remains a very secure alternative to larger urban hubs.

Proactive Security in Kempsford

With a property crime rate of 11.7 per 1,000 people, Kempsford residents enjoy a level of security well above the national average. However, the recent 48.6% increase in local crime highlights the importance of not becoming complacent. Traditional security measures, such as basic CCTV or standard burglar alarms, are often reactive—they record an event or sound an alert only after a perimeter has been breached. In a quiet area like Kempsford, the most effective strategy is proactive prevention.

The scOS home security operating system represents a shift from recording crimes to preventing them. By utilising AI-powered multi-camera intelligence, scOS monitors your property boundaries in real-time. It doesn't just record a vehicle theft or a break-in; it identifies suspicious patterns and autonomous responses like activating lights or speakers to deter intruders before they can act. For Kempsford homeowners, this proactive boundary protection ensures that the village's quiet character is preserved by stopping threats before they ever reach the front door.