Crime in Kemptown: statistics, rates and trends
3,406 crimes were recorded in Kemptown in the 12 months to July 2026, 282.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 16% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Kemptown at a glance
- Crime trends in Kemptown
- Types of crime in Kemptown
- Kemptown compared with nearby neighbourhoods
- Streets with the most crime in Kemptown
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kemptown
- Population and deprivation in Kemptown
- Questions about crime in Kemptown
- About this data
3,406 crimes were recorded in Kemptown in the 12 months to July 2026, 282.0 per 1,000 residents. That is higher than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 16% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 1,108 reports (33% of the total).
Of the 3,911 neighbourhoods covered by this site, Kemptown has the 84th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kemptown | Brighton and Hove | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 3,406 | 35,086 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 282.0 | 123.6 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -16% | -2% | -1% |
| Population | 12,076 | 283,870 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kemptown was highest in the year to July 2025 (4,075 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (2,965). Over the whole period it rose 4%, 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 | 3,406 | 282.0 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 4,075 | 337.4 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 3,392 | 280.9 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 2,965 | 245.5 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 3,100 | 256.7 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,990 | 247.6 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 3,131 | 259.3 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 3,122 | 258.5 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 3,286 | 272.1 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 411 |
| June 2026 | 371 |
| May 2026 | 320 |
| April 2026 | 262 |
| March 2026 | 255 |
| February 2026 | 225 |
| January 2026 | 233 |
| December 2025 | 207 |
| November 2025 | 250 |
| October 2025 | 238 |
| September 2025 | 311 |
| August 2025 | 323 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kemptown 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, anti-social behaviour, shoplifting.
The largest falls were in shoplifting (-51%) and possession of weapons (-38%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 1,108 | 91.8 | 2.68 | -6% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 642 | 53.2 | 3.47 | +4% |
| Shoplifting | 378 | 31.3 | 3.78 | -51% |
| Public order | 360 | 29.8 | 4.49 | -2% |
| Other theft | 241 | 20.0 | 3.12 | -26% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 152 | 12.6 | 1.86 | -32% |
| Drugs | 132 | 10.9 | 3.34 | +1% |
| Burglary | 72 | 6.0 | 1.69 | -19% |
| Other crime | 63 | 5.2 | 2.47 | -15% |
| Theft from the person | 63 | 5.2 | 3.09 | -15% |
| Bicycle theft | 55 | 4.6 | 5.53 | -4% |
| Vehicle crime | 53 | 4.4 | 0.89 | -13% |
| Robbery | 51 | 4.2 | 3.13 | -2% |
| Possession of weapons | 36 | 3.0 | 3.07 | -38% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kemptown
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kemptown recorded 1,108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (91.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 6% on the year before. It made up 32.5% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kemptown
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kemptown recorded 642 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (53.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 18.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kemptown
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kemptown recorded 378 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (31.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 51% on the year before. It made up 11.1% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kemptown
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kemptown recorded 360 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (29.8 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 10.6% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kemptown
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kemptown recorded 241 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (20.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and down 26% on the year before. It made up 7.1% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kemptown
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kemptown recorded 152 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (12.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and down 32% on the year before. It made up 4.5% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kemptown
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kemptown recorded 132 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (10.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 3.9% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kemptown
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kemptown recorded 72 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (6.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and down 19% on the year before. It made up 2.1% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kemptown
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kemptown recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kemptown
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kemptown recorded 63 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (5.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 15% on the year before. It made up 1.8% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kemptown
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kemptown recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.6 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 0.8, and down 4% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kemptown
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kemptown recorded 53 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and down 13% on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kemptown
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kemptown recorded 51 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 1.5% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kemptown
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kemptown recorded 36 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.0 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 38% on the year before. It made up 1.1% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the neighbourhoods closest to Kemptown, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kemptown.
| Neighbourhood | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kemptown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen's Park | 1,167 | 114.0 | -60% |
| Whitehawk & Marina | 2,008 | 163.2 | -42% |
| Hanover & Elm Grove | 1,066 | 68.1 | -76% |
| West Hill & North Laine | 5,236 | 485.4 | +72% |
| Round Hill | 886 | 103.3 | -63% |
| Regency | 6,264 | 625.7 | +122% |
| Brunswick & Adelaide | 877 | 85.6 | -70% |
| Moulsecoomb & Bevendean | 1,337 | 84.1 | -70% |
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 Kemptown over the 12 months to July 2026.
| Location | Crimes |
|---|---|
| On or near Supermarket | 629 |
| On or near Hospital | 424 |
| On or near Nightclub | 309 |
| On or near Cavendish Street | 179 |
| On or near Charlotte Street | 109 |
| On or near Rock Place | 70 |
| On or near Percival Terrace | 64 |
| On or near Aquarium | 60 |
| On or near Lower Rock Gardens | 54 |
| On or near Upper St James'S Street | 54 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kemptown 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 | 1,213 | 35.6% |
| Unable to prosecute suspect | 759 | 22.3% |
| Not recorded | 642 | 18.8% |
| Under investigation | 254 | 7.5% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 201 | 5.9% |
| Local resolution | 109 | 3.2% |
| Court result unavailable | 104 | 3.1% |
| Status update unavailable | 83 | 2.4% |
| Offender given a caution | 14 | 0.4% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 10 | 0.3% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 8 | 0.2% |
| Further investigation is not in the public interest | 7 | 0.2% |
Kemptown has an estimated population of 12,076. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kemptown sits in decile 3.6, more deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kemptown |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 8.2% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 76.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 15.8% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 34.5% |
| Social rented homes | 18.9% |
| Private rented homes | 46.3% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 3.6 |
| Residents in the most deprived 10% of areas | 16.1% |
Is Kemptown a safe place to live?
Kemptown recorded 282.0 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 Kemptown?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 1,108 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by anti-social behaviour (642).
Is crime in Kemptown going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kemptown was down 16% on the year before: 3,406 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 4,075 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kemptown?
Kemptown is policed by Sussex. 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 Kemptown. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.