The effectiveness of the police presence in Lingwood, a built-up area within Broadland, can be assessed by examining crime rates, safety scores, and police response times. Lingwood's crime rate stands at 43.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, suggesting a comparatively safer environment. Furthermore, Lingwood boasts a safety score of 88 out of 100, well above the UK average of 79, reinforcing this perception of safety.
However, a crucial element in evaluating police effectiveness is response time. Data from 2024 indicates a mean immediate police response time of 14 minutes in Lingwood. This is a key indicator of how quickly officers can respond to urgent situations requiring immediate intervention. The mean priority response time, however, is considerably longer, at 73 minutes. This suggests that while immediate threats are addressed relatively promptly, non-urgent matters may experience a longer wait for police attention. It's important to note that 'priority' incidents can encompass a wide range of situations, and response times can vary based on resource availability and incident severity.
While a 73-minute priority response time might seem lengthy, a comprehensive assessment requires considering the overall context. The low crime rate and high safety score suggest that serious incidents are infrequent. The effectiveness of the police presence isn't solely determined by response times; preventative measures, community engagement, and proactive policing also play vital roles. Lingwood's comparatively low crime rate likely reflects a combination of factors, including effective policing strategies, community vigilance, and socio-economic conditions. Further investigation into the types of crimes reported and the specific challenges faced by the local police force would provide a more nuanced understanding of police effectiveness in Lingwood.