Crime in Kempston Central & East: statistics, rates and trends
1,232 crimes were recorded in Kempston Central & East in the 12 months to July 2026, 123.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Kempston Central & East at a glance
- Crime trends in Kempston Central & East
- Types of crime in Kempston Central & East
- Kempston Central & East compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Kempston Central & East
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kempston Central & East
- Population and deprivation in Kempston Central & East
- Questions about crime in Kempston Central & East
- About this data
1,232 crimes were recorded in Kempston Central & East in the 12 months to July 2026, 123.6 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 459 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Kempston Central & East has the 778th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kempston Central & East | Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,232 | 18,267 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 123.6 | 93.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 9,970 | 194,976 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kempston Central & East was highest in the year to July 2021 (1,330 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2024 (1,026). Over the whole period it rose 13%, against a fall of 4% across England and Wales. Rates use today's population for every year, so they show the direction of change rather than exact historic rates.
| Period | Crimes | Per 1,000 | England and Wales per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year to July 2026 | 1,232 | 123.6 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 1,325 | 132.9 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,026 | 102.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,045 | 104.8 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,172 | 117.6 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 1,330 | 133.4 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 1,182 | 118.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 1,227 | 123.1 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,088 | 109.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 111 |
| June 2026 | 105 |
| May 2026 | 92 |
| April 2026 | 108 |
| March 2026 | 107 |
| February 2026 | 77 |
| January 2026 | 99 |
| December 2025 | 100 |
| November 2025 | 113 |
| October 2025 | 96 |
| September 2025 | 117 |
| August 2025 | 107 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kempston Central & East over the 12 months to July 2026. The index compares the local rate with England and Wales: 1.00 is the national rate, 2.00 is double it. Rates were well above the national level for violence and sexual offences, criminal damage and arson, shoplifting.
The largest increases were in other crime (+91%) and criminal damage and arson (+30%). The largest falls were in shoplifting (-48%) and vehicle crime (-21%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 459 | 46.0 | 1.34 | +2% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 133 | 13.3 | 1.97 | +30% |
| Shoplifting | 131 | 13.1 | 1.59 | -48% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 126 | 12.6 | 0.82 | -14% |
| Public order | 112 | 11.2 | 1.69 | +11% |
| Drugs | 63 | 6.3 | 1.93 | -11% |
| Other theft | 63 | 6.3 | 0.99 | +29% |
| Vehicle crime | 52 | 5.2 | 1.06 | -21% |
| Other crime | 42 | 4.2 | 1.99 | +91% |
| Burglary | 29 | 2.9 | 0.82 | +0% |
| Possession of weapons | 8 | 0.8 | 0.83 | -38% |
| Theft from the person | 6 | 0.6 | 0.36 | -14% |
| Bicycle theft | 4 | 0.4 | 0.49 | -69% |
| Robbery | 4 | 0.4 | 0.30 | +0% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kempston Central & East
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kempston Central & East recorded 459 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (46.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 37.3% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kempston Central & East
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kempston Central & East recorded 133 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 30% on the year before. It made up 10.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kempston Central & East
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kempston Central & East recorded 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (13.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 48% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kempston Central & East
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kempston Central & East recorded 126 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 10.2% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kempston Central & East
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kempston Central & East recorded 112 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and up 11% on the year before. It made up 9.1% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kempston Central & East
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kempston Central & East recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kempston Central & East
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kempston Central & East recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.3 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 29% on the year before. It made up 5.1% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kempston Central & East
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kempston Central & East recorded 52 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 21% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kempston Central & East
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kempston Central & East recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 91% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kempston Central & East
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kempston Central & East recorded 29 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 2.4% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kempston Central & East
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kempston Central & East recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kempston Central & East
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kempston Central & East recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kempston Central & East
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kempston Central & East recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 69% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kempston Central & East
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kempston Central & East recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Kempston Central & East, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kempston Central & East.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kempston Central & East |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kempston South | 349 | 84.7 | -31% |
| Kempston North | 302 | 77.9 | -37% |
| Kempston West | 281 | 58.1 | -53% |
| Great Denham | 270 | 59.9 | -52% |
| Cauldwell | 1,793 | 144.4 | +17% |
| Queens Park | 845 | 82.9 | -33% |
| Greyfriars | 1,896 | 418.8 | +239% |
| Kingsbrook | 1,787 | 161.2 | +30% |
Police.uk records each crime at an approximate location, usually the centre of a nearby street or a landmark, to protect victims' privacy. These are the locations with the most reports in Kempston Central & East over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Abbott Crescent | 290 |
| On or near The Old Yard | 131 |
| On or near Petrol Station | 78 |
| On or near B531 | 55 |
| On or near Bedford Road | 48 |
| On or near Bunyan Road | 46 |
| On or near Littledale Street | 33 |
| On or near Park Road | 26 |
| On or near Spring Road | 26 |
| On or near White Lodge Close | 26 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kempston Central & East over the 12 months to July 2026. Many cases are still open when the data is published, and anti-social behaviour has no outcome recorded, so these shares change as investigations finish.
| Outcome | Crimes | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 433 | 35.1% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 242 | 19.6% |
| Not recorded | 126 | 10.2% |
| Under investigation | 119 | 9.7% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 107 | 8.7% |
| Court result unavailable | 81 | 6.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 43 | 3.5% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 30 | 2.4% |
| Local resolution | 20 | 1.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 19 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 8 | 0.6% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 3 | 0.2% |
Kempston Central & East has an estimated population of 9,970. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kempston Central & East sits in decile 4.3, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kempston Central & East |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.1% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.2% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 59.5% |
| Social rented homes | 20.9% |
| Private rented homes | 19.6% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 4.3 |
Is Kempston Central & East a safe place to live?
Kempston Central & East recorded 123.6 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4. Crime is concentrated in a small number of places within most areas, often busy centres and transport hubs, so the rate for a single street can differ a lot from the area as a whole.
What is the most common crime in Kempston Central & East?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 459 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by criminal damage and arson (133).
Is crime in Kempston Central & East going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kempston Central & East was down 7% on the year before: 1,232 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 1,325 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kempston Central & East?
Kempston Central & East is policed by Bedfordshire. Non-emergency crimes can be reported online to the force or by calling 101; in an emergency call 999.
How are these crime rates calculated?
Each rate is the number of crimes recorded by the police in the 12 months to July 2026, divided by the resident population and multiplied by 1,000. Crime data is from data.police.uk and population estimates are from the Office for National Statistics.
Figures are police-recorded crime published on data.police.uk, covering August 2017 to July 2026. Each crime is counted in the small area (LSOA) where it was recorded and added up to Kempston Central & East. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.