Crime in Kempsey: statistics, rates and trends

304 crimes were recorded in Kempsey in the 12 months to July 2026, 54.7 per 1,000 residents. That is lower than the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and up 14% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 123 reports (40% of the total).

Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Kempsey has the 1,072nd highest crime rate.

Recorded crime in Kempsey was highest in the year to July 2023 (377 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2019 (208). Over the whole period it rose 6%, 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.

Month by month

The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kempsey 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 other crime.

The largest increases were in other theft (+35%) and anti-social behaviour (+24%).

Violence and sexual offences in Kempsey

Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kempsey recorded 123 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (22.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and down 2% on the year before. It made up 40.5% of all crime in the area.

Anti-social behaviour in Kempsey

Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kempsey recorded 42 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and up 24% on the year before. It made up 13.8% of all crime in the area.

Other theft in Kempsey

Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kempsey recorded 27 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 35% on the year before. It made up 8.9% of all crime in the area.

Criminal damage and arson in Kempsey

Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kempsey recorded 24 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.3 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 85% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.

Burglary in Kempsey

Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kempsey recorded 22 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.0 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 120% on the year before. It made up 7.2% of all crime in the area.

Other crime in Kempsey

Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kempsey recorded 16 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 45% on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Vehicle crime in Kempsey

Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kempsey recorded 16 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 4.9, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 5.3% of all crime in the area.

Public order in Kempsey

Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kempsey recorded 11 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.0 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 35% on the year before. It made up 3.6% of all crime in the area.

Shoplifting in Kempsey

Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kempsey recorded 10 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and up 25% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.

Possession of weapons in Kempsey

Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kempsey recorded 6 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (1.1 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 1.0, and down 25% on the year before. It made up 2.0% of all crime in the area.

Drugs in Kempsey

Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kempsey recorded 5 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.9 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and almost unchanged on the year before. It made up 1.6% of all crime in the area.

Bicycle theft in Kempsey

Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kempsey recorded 2 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 with no comparable figure for the year before. It made up 0.7% of all crime in the area.

Crime rates in the towns closest to Kempsey, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kempsey.

1 areas within Kempsey, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Kempsey had the highest rate (54.7 per 1,000) and Kempsey the lowest (54.7). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.

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 Kempsey over the 12 months to July 2026.

The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kempsey 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.

Kempsey has an estimated population of 5,554. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kempsey sits in decile 6.6, less deprived than average. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.

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 Kempsey. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.

Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.