Crime in Kempston South: statistics, rates and trends
349 crimes were recorded in Kempston South in the 12 months to July 2026, 84.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Kempston South at a glance
- Crime trends in Kempston South
- Types of crime in Kempston South
- Kempston South compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Kempston South
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kempston South
- Population and deprivation in Kempston South
- Questions about crime in Kempston South
- About this data
349 crimes were recorded in Kempston South in the 12 months to July 2026, 84.7 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 7% on the year before. The most common offence was shoplifting, with 105 reports (30% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Kempston South has the 1,664th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kempston South | Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 349 | 18,267 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 84.7 | 93.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -7% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 4,119 | 194,976 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kempston South was highest in the year to July 2019 (716 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (263). Over the whole period it fell 39%, 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 | 349 | 84.7 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 374 | 90.8 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 380 | 92.3 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 263 | 63.9 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 366 | 88.9 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 392 | 95.2 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 589 | 143.0 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 716 | 173.8 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 568 | 137.9 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 36 |
| June 2026 | 24 |
| May 2026 | 24 |
| April 2026 | 34 |
| March 2026 | 33 |
| February 2026 | 39 |
| January 2026 | 36 |
| December 2025 | 25 |
| November 2025 | 34 |
| October 2025 | 23 |
| September 2025 | 18 |
| August 2025 | 23 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kempston South 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 shoplifting, other crime.
The largest falls were in public order (-45%) and criminal damage and arson (-42%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shoplifting | 105 | 25.5 | 3.08 | +5% |
| Violence and sexual offences | 89 | 21.6 | 0.63 | -3% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 49 | 11.9 | 0.78 | -2% |
| Public order | 22 | 5.3 | 0.80 | -45% |
| Vehicle crime | 17 | 4.1 | 0.84 | -19% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 14 | 3.4 | 0.50 | -42% |
| Other theft | 14 | 3.4 | 0.53 | -22% |
| Other crime | 12 | 2.9 | 1.38 | +140% |
| Burglary | 11 | 2.7 | 0.76 | +38% |
| Drugs | 7 | 1.7 | 0.52 | +75% |
| Robbery | 5 | 1.2 | 0.90 | +25% |
| Bicycle theft | 2 | 0.5 | 0.59 | -67% |
| Possession of weapons | 1 | 0.2 | 0.25 | -50% |
| Theft from the person | 1 | 0.2 | 0.14 | n/a |
Shoplifting in Kempston South
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kempston South recorded 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (25.5 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 5% on the year before. It made up 30.1% of all crime in the area.
Violence and sexual offences in Kempston South
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kempston South recorded 89 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (21.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 3% on the year before. It made up 25.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kempston South
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kempston South recorded 49 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 14.0% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kempston South
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kempston South recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 45% on the year before. It made up 6.3% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kempston South
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kempston South recorded 17 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 4.9% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kempston South
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kempston South recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 42% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kempston South
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kempston South recorded 14 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 22% on the year before. It made up 4.0% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kempston South
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kempston South recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 140% on the year before. It made up 3.4% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kempston South
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kempston South recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 38% on the year before. It made up 3.2% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kempston South
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kempston South recorded 7 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.7 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 75% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kempston South
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kempston South recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.2 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 1.4% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kempston South
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kempston South recorded 2 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.5 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 67% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kempston South
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kempston South recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 50% on the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kempston South
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kempston South recorded 1 report in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.2 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.3% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Kempston South, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kempston South.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kempston South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kempston Central & East | 1,232 | 123.6 | +46% |
| Kempston West | 281 | 58.1 | -31% |
| Kempston North | 302 | 77.9 | -8% |
| Cauldwell | 1,793 | 144.4 | +70% |
| Great Denham | 270 | 59.9 | -29% |
| Queens Park | 845 | 82.9 | -2% |
| Greyfriars | 1,896 | 418.8 | +394% |
| Kingsbrook | 1,787 | 161.2 | +90% |
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 South over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near The Hollies | 61 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 59 |
| On or near Race Meadows Way | 46 |
| On or near Harrier Way | 17 |
| On or near Polo Field Way | 14 |
| On or near Magnolia Close | 13 |
| On or near Sports/Recreation Area | 12 |
| On or near Elstow Road | 11 |
| On or near The Almonds | 11 |
| On or near The Rowans | 10 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kempston South 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 141 | 40.4% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 79 | 22.6% |
| Not recorded | 49 | 14.0% |
| Under investigation | 45 | 12.9% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 20 | 5.7% |
| Status update unavailable | 6 | 1.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 3 | 0.9% |
| Local resolution | 3 | 0.9% |
| Court result unavailable | 2 | 0.6% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 1 | 0.3% |
Kempston South has an estimated population of 4,119. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kempston South sits in decile 6.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kempston South |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 19.6% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 61.6% |
| Aged 65 and over | 18.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 78.8% |
| Social rented homes | 5.2% |
| Private rented homes | 16.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 6.6 |
Is Kempston South a safe place to live?
Kempston South recorded 84.7 crimes per 1,000 residents in the 12 months to July 2026, close to 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 South?
Shoplifting was the most common category, with 105 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by violence and sexual offences (89).
Is crime in Kempston South going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kempston South was down 7% on the year before: 349 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 374 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kempston South?
Kempston South 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 South. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.