Kempsey Crime Rate January 2026 | Monthly Statistics

The crime profile of Kempsey in January 2026 reveals a distinct balance between violent and property crimes, with violent offences dominating the landscape. At 6.0 per 1,000 residents, Kempsey’s overall crime rate sits 11.8% below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, suggesting a relatively safer environment compared to national trends. However, the breakdown of crime types tells a more nuanced story: 54.8% of all reported crimes were violence and sexual offences, significantly higher than the UK average of 32% for this category. Anti-social behaviour followed at 19.4%, and other theft at 16.1%, both well above UK averages. This skewed distribution raises questions about local dynamics, particularly in a built-up area within the Malvern Hills. The prominence of violent crime may reflect a combination of social factors, such as limited community engagement during winter months or the impact of post-holiday periods on local interactions. Seasonal context also plays a role, with January’s shorter days and reduced retail activity likely contributing to a shift in crime patterns. While property crimes remain relatively low, the high proportion of violent offences contrasts with the UK trend, where property crimes typically dominate. This imbalance may be influenced by Kempsey’s character as a small, rural-adjacent community with limited commercial hubs, where interpersonal conflicts could escalate more readily. The data also shows that drug-related crimes, though minimal, are 29% below the UK average, indicating effective local policing or fewer illicit activities in this area. Overall, the crime mix highlights a need for targeted interventions in addressing violent incidents while maintaining the area’s relatively low overall crime rate compared to national benchmarks.

January 2026 saw notable month-on-month changes in Kempsey’s crime profile. Anti-social behaviour surged by 100%, rising from three to six incidents, a shift that may reflect increased community tensions during the post-holiday period. Similarly, possession of weapons and drug-related crimes both doubled from zero to one incident each, marking a stark departure from previous months. These increases could signal emerging issues or heightened police visibility leading to more reporting. Conversely, other crime dropped by 50%, with incidents falling from two to one, indicating temporary resolution of specific local concerns. The crime mix also reveals striking disparities compared to the UK average: violence and sexual offences in Kempsey are 32% above the national rate, while anti-social behaviour is 29% higher and other theft is 117% above. This suggests that Kempsey’s small, built-up area may face unique pressures, such as concentrated social challenges in limited public spaces. The rate of drug-related crimes is 29% below the UK average, due to lower prevalence of illicit activity or effective local enforcement. For residents, the sharp rise in anti-social behaviour may warrant closer attention to community cohesion efforts, particularly in public areas where interactions are more frequent during colder months.

Kempsey’s crime rate in January 2026 rose by 41.0% compared to the previous month’s rate of 4.3 per 1,000, reflecting a significant shift in local conditions. This increase, though substantial, remains below the UK average of 6.8 per 1,000, underscoring Kempsey’s relatively safer standing nationally. On a daily basis, the area experienced roughly one reported crime per day in January, a figure that, while low, may feel more pronounced in a small community of 5,148 residents. Monthly exposure translates to one crime for every 166 residents, a statistic that, when contextualised, illustrates the manageable scale of criminal activity in this built-up area. However, the 41% month-on-month increase raises questions about what might have changed: whether seasonal factors, such as the end of holiday-related disruptions, or local events contributed to this rise. Kempsey’s population size means that even a small number of crimes can have a noticeable impact on community perception, making it crucial to monitor trends closely. While the overall rate is still below the UK average, the disproportionate rise in violent and anti-social crimes compared to property crimes highlights a need for targeted strategies. This contrast with the UK trend—where property crimes typically dominate—may stem from Kempsey’s unique character as a rural-adjacent area with limited commercial activity, where interpersonal conflicts could play a larger role. The comparison also reveals that Kempsey’s crime profile is not just about quantity but quality, with specific categories showing marked differences from national patterns.