Crime in Kempston North: statistics, rates and trends
302 crimes were recorded in Kempston North in the 12 months to July 2026, 77.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Kempston North at a glance
- Crime trends in Kempston North
- Types of crime in Kempston North
- Kempston North compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Kempston North
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kempston North
- Population and deprivation in Kempston North
- Questions about crime in Kempston North
- About this data
302 crimes were recorded in Kempston North in the 12 months to July 2026, 77.9 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 15% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 131 reports (43% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Kempston North has the 1,929th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kempston North | Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 302 | 18,267 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 77.9 | 93.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -15% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 3,876 | 194,976 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kempston North was highest in the year to July 2019 (469 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (219). Over the whole period it fell 28%, 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 | 302 | 77.9 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 354 | 91.3 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 353 | 91.1 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 219 | 56.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 273 | 70.4 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 394 | 101.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 397 | 102.4 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 469 | 121.0 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 422 | 108.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 32 |
| June 2026 | 27 |
| May 2026 | 24 |
| April 2026 | 29 |
| March 2026 | 26 |
| February 2026 | 25 |
| January 2026 | 19 |
| December 2025 | 16 |
| November 2025 | 23 |
| October 2025 | 21 |
| September 2025 | 34 |
| August 2025 | 26 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kempston North 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 drugs, possession of weapons.
The largest falls were in criminal damage and arson (-52%) and public order (-50%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 131 | 33.8 | 0.99 | +2% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 44 | 11.4 | 0.74 | -36% |
| Drugs | 20 | 5.2 | 1.58 | +82% |
| Vehicle crime | 18 | 4.6 | 0.94 | +38% |
| Public order | 17 | 4.4 | 0.66 | -50% |
| Shoplifting | 17 | 4.4 | 0.53 | -15% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 15 | 3.9 | 0.57 | -52% |
| Burglary | 11 | 2.8 | 0.80 | -8% |
| Other theft | 11 | 2.8 | 0.44 | -27% |
| Other crime | 6 | 1.5 | 0.73 | -14% |
| Possession of weapons | 6 | 1.5 | 1.59 | +200% |
| Robbery | 4 | 1.0 | 0.76 | +33% |
| Bicycle theft | 1 | 0.3 | 0.31 | -86% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.3 | 0.15 | -50% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kempston North
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kempston North recorded 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (33.8 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 43.4% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kempston North
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kempston North recorded 44 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 36% on the year before. It made up 14.6% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kempston North
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kempston North recorded 20 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 82% on the year before. It made up 6.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kempston North
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kempston North recorded 18 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 6.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kempston North
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kempston North recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kempston North
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kempston North recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 5.6% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kempston North
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kempston North recorded 15 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 52% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kempston North
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kempston North recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 8% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kempston North
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kempston North recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 27% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kempston North
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kempston North recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kempston North
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kempston North recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and up 200% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kempston North
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kempston North recorded 4 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 33% on the year before. It made up 1.3% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kempston North
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kempston North recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 86% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kempston North
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kempston North recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Kempston North, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kempston North.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kempston North |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kempston Central & East | 1,232 | 123.6 | +59% |
| Queens Park | 845 | 82.9 | +6% |
| Great Denham | 270 | 59.9 | -23% |
| Kempston South | 349 | 84.7 | +9% |
| Cauldwell | 1,793 | 144.4 | +85% |
| Kempston West | 281 | 58.1 | -25% |
| Greyfriars | 1,896 | 418.8 | +438% |
| Biddenham | 250 | 54.9 | -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 North over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Halsey Road | 25 |
| On or near Marlborough Park | 21 |
| On or near Parking Area | 20 |
| On or near Austin Canons | 18 |
| On or near Emmerton Road | 17 |
| On or near Stanton Road | 17 |
| On or near Westminster Gardens | 16 |
| On or near Riverside Close | 15 |
| On or near Kingston Close | 14 |
| On or near Whitbread Avenue | 14 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kempston North 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 | 105 | 34.8% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 68 | 22.5% |
| Not recorded | 44 | 14.6% |
| Under investigation | 34 | 11.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 14 | 4.6% |
| Status update unavailable | 10 | 3.3% |
| Court result unavailable | 8 | 2.6% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 2.6% |
| Local resolution | 6 | 2.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 3 | 1.0% |
| Offender given a caution | 1 | 0.3% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Kempston North has an estimated population of 3,876. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kempston North sits in decile 3.6, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kempston North |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 18.5% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.8% |
| Aged 65 and over | 19.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 53.6% |
| Social rented homes | 32.6% |
| Private rented homes | 13.5% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.6 |
Is Kempston North a safe place to live?
Kempston North recorded 77.9 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, lower 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 North?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 131 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (44).
Is crime in Kempston North going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kempston North was down 15% on the year before: 302 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 354 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kempston North?
Kempston North 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 North. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.