Crime in Kempston: statistics, rates and trends
1,993 crimes were recorded in Kempston in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before.
Table of Contents
- Crime in Kempston at a glance
- Crime trends in Kempston
- Types of crime in Kempston
- Kempston compared with nearby towns
- Areas within Kempston
- Streets with the most crime in Kempston
- What happened after crimes were reported in Kempston
- Population and deprivation in Kempston
- Questions about crime in Kempston
- About this data
1,993 crimes were recorded in Kempston in the 12 months to July 2026, 93.5 per 1,000 residents. That is close to the England and Wales rate of 96.4, and down 8% on the year before. The most common offence was violence and sexual offences, with 734 reports (37% of the total).
Of the 1,408 towns covered by this site, Kempston has the 438th highest crime rate.
| Measure | Kempston | Bedford | England and Wales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimes, the 12 months to July 2026 | 1,993 | 18,267 | 5,665,700 |
| Crimes per 1,000 residents | 93.5 | 93.7 | 96.4 |
| Change on previous 12 months | -8% | +2% | -1% |
| Population | 21,309 | 194,976 | 58,797,018 |
Recorded crime in Kempston was highest in the year to July 2019 (2,316 crimes) and lowest in the year to July 2023 (1,707). Over the whole period it rose 0%, 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 | 1,993 | 93.5 | 96.4 |
| Year to July 2025 | 2,155 | 101.1 | 97.1 |
| Year to July 2024 | 1,939 | 91.0 | 97.7 |
| Year to July 2023 | 1,707 | 80.1 | 5.2 |
| Year to July 2022 | 1,943 | 91.2 | 101.3 |
| Year to July 2021 | 2,230 | 104.7 | 102.1 |
| Year to July 2020 | 2,059 | 96.6 | 101.9 |
| Year to July 2019 | 2,316 | 108.7 | 101.5 |
| Year to July 2018 | 1,990 | 93.4 | 100.6 |
Month by month
| Month | Crimes |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | 189 |
| June 2026 | 154 |
| May 2026 | 148 |
| April 2026 | 183 |
| March 2026 | 175 |
| February 2026 | 152 |
| January 2026 | 165 |
| December 2025 | 148 |
| November 2025 | 178 |
| October 2025 | 157 |
| September 2025 | 174 |
| August 2025 | 170 |
The table shows every category of crime recorded in Kempston 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 increases were in other crime (+53%) and other theft (+14%). The largest falls were in bicycle theft (-61%) and shoplifting (-37%).
| Crime type | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Index (E&W = 1.00) | Change on year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 734 | 34.4 | 1.01 | +2% |
| Shoplifting | 238 | 11.2 | 1.35 | -37% |
| Anti-social behaviour | 236 | 11.1 | 0.72 | -14% |
| Criminal damage and arson | 176 | 8.3 | 1.22 | +8% |
| Public order | 157 | 7.4 | 1.11 | -12% |
| Other theft | 103 | 4.8 | 0.76 | +14% |
| Vehicle crime | 99 | 4.6 | 0.94 | -12% |
| Drugs | 84 | 3.9 | 1.21 | +6% |
| Other crime | 66 | 3.1 | 1.47 | +53% |
| Burglary | 55 | 2.6 | 0.73 | +4% |
| Possession of weapons | 16 | 0.8 | 0.77 | -20% |
| Robbery | 12 | 0.6 | 0.42 | +9% |
| Bicycle theft | 9 | 0.4 | 0.51 | -61% |
| Theft from the person | 8 | 0.4 | 0.22 | -11% |
Violence and sexual offences in Kempston
Violence and sexual offences covers offences against the person, from common assault to homicide, and sexual offences. Kempston recorded 734 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (34.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 34.2, and up 2% on the year before. It made up 36.8% of all crime in the area.
Shoplifting in Kempston
Shoplifting covers theft from shops or stalls. Kempston recorded 238 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.2 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 8.3, and down 37% on the year before. It made up 11.9% of all crime in the area.
Anti-social behaviour in Kempston
Anti-social behaviour covers personal, environmental and nuisance anti-social behaviour. Kempston recorded 236 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (11.1 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 15.3, and down 14% on the year before. It made up 11.8% of all crime in the area.
Criminal damage and arson in Kempston
Criminal damage and arson covers deliberate damage to property, including setting fire to it. Kempston recorded 176 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (8.3 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 6.8, and up 8% on the year before. It made up 8.8% of all crime in the area.
Public order in Kempston
Public order covers offences that cause fear, alarm or distress. Kempston recorded 157 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (7.4 per 1,000 residents), close to the England and Wales rate of 6.6, and down 12% on the year before. It made up 7.9% of all crime in the area.
Other theft in Kempston
Other theft covers theft not covered by another category, such as theft by an employee or of unattended items. Kempston recorded 103 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (4.8 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 6.4, and up 14% on the year before. It made up 5.2% of all crime in the area.
Vehicle crime in Kempston
Vehicle crime covers theft of or from a vehicle, and interfering with a vehicle. Kempston recorded 99 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 down 12% on the year before. It made up 5.0% of all crime in the area.
Drugs in Kempston
Drugs covers possession, supply and production of controlled drugs. Kempston recorded 84 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.9 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 3.3, and up 6% on the year before. It made up 4.2% of all crime in the area.
Other crime in Kempston
Other crime covers offences not covered by another category, such as forgery and perjury. Kempston recorded 66 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (3.1 per 1,000 residents), higher than the England and Wales rate of 2.1, and up 53% on the year before. It made up 3.3% of all crime in the area.
Burglary in Kempston
Burglary covers entering a home or other building as a trespasser to steal, or with intent to steal. Kempston recorded 55 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (2.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 3.5, and up 4% on the year before. It made up 2.8% of all crime in the area.
Possession of weapons in Kempston
Possession of weapons covers carrying or possessing a weapon such as a firearm or knife. Kempston recorded 16 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 20% on the year before. It made up 0.8% of all crime in the area.
Robbery in Kempston
Robbery covers theft using force or the threat of force. Kempston recorded 12 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.6 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.4, and up 9% on the year before. It made up 0.6% of all crime in the area.
Bicycle theft in Kempston
Bicycle theft covers the taking of a bicycle without the owner's consent. Kempston recorded 9 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 61% on the year before. It made up 0.5% of all crime in the area.
Theft from the person in Kempston
Theft from the person covers theft of property carried on the person, such as pickpocketing, without force. Kempston recorded 8 reports in the 12 months to July 2026 (0.4 per 1,000 residents), lower than the England and Wales rate of 1.7, and down 11% on the year before. It made up 0.4% of all crime in the area.
Crime rates in the towns closest to Kempston, for the 12 months to July 2026. The last column shows each area's rate relative to Kempston.
| Town | Crimes | Per 1,000 | Rate vs Kempston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wootton (Bedford) | 290 | 34.7 | -63% |
| Bedford | 12,537 | 122.3 | +31% |
| Wixams | 567 | 67.4 | -28% |
| Shortstown | 418 | 70.9 | -24% |
| Marston Moretaine | 295 | 52.3 | -44% |
| Cranfield | 359 | 41.1 | -56% |
| Ampthill | 346 | 37.3 | -60% |
| Flitwick | 547 | 47.9 | -49% |
4 areas within Kempston, ordered by crime rate over the 12 months to July 2026. Kempston Central & East had the highest rate (123.6 per 1,000) and Kempston West the lowest (58.1). Busy town and city centres often show high rates because many of the people there do not live there.
| Area | Type | Population | Crimes | Per 1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kempston Central & East | Neighbourhood | 9,970 | 1,232 | 123.6 |
| Kempston South | Neighbourhood | 4,119 | 349 | 84.7 |
| Kempston North | Neighbourhood | 3,876 | 302 | 77.9 |
| Kempston West | Neighbourhood | 4,833 | 281 | 58.1 |
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 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 The Hollies | 61 |
| On or near Shopping Area | 59 |
| On or near B531 | 55 |
| On or near Bedford Road | 48 |
| On or near Bunyan Road | 46 |
| On or near Race Meadows Way | 46 |
| On or near Oliver Close | 42 |
The latest recorded outcome for crimes in Kempston 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 | 664 | 33.3% |
| Investigation complete; no suspect identified | 479 | 24.0% |
| Not recorded | 236 | 11.8% |
| Under investigation | 206 | 10.3% |
| Awaiting court outcome | 148 | 7.4% |
| Court result unavailable | 89 | 4.5% |
| Status update unavailable | 59 | 3.0% |
| Formal action is not in the public interest | 34 | 1.7% |
| Action to be taken by another organisation | 32 | 1.6% |
| Local resolution | 29 | 1.5% |
| Offender given a caution | 10 | 0.5% |
| Further action is not in the public interest | 4 | 0.2% |
Kempston has an estimated population of 21,309. On the England IoD 2025, the average neighbourhood in Kempston sits in decile 5.4, close to the middle. Deprivation and recorded crime are linked, but many other factors shape local crime rates.
| Measure | Kempston |
|---|---|
| Aged 0 to 15 | 20.3% |
| Aged 16 to 64 | 63.0% |
| Aged 65 and over | 16.7% |
| Homes owned outright or with a mortgage | 65.2% |
| Social rented homes | 17.7% |
| Private rented homes | 17.1% |
| Average deprivation decile (1 = most deprived, 10 = least) | 5.4 |
Is Kempston a safe place to live?
Kempston recorded 93.5 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?
Violence and sexual offences was the most common category, with 734 reports in the 12 months to July 2026, followed by shoplifting (238).
Is crime in Kempston going up or down?
Recorded crime in Kempston was down 8% on the year before: 1,993 crimes in the 12 months to July 2026 against 2,155 in the previous 12 months.
Which police force covers Kempston?
Kempston 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. Crimes recorded by British Transport Police are not included.
Population figures are ONS mid-year estimates. See the methodology for details.