The visibility and responsiveness of the police presence in Rugeley, a Built-Up Area (BUA) within Cannock Chase, is a question of considerable interest to residents. While a definitive measure of 'visibility' is subjective, data relating to crime rates, safety scores, and police response times offers valuable insights.
Rugeley's crime rate currently stands at 85.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is lower than the United Kingdom’s average crime rate of 91.6 per 1,000 residents, suggesting a relatively safer environment. The area also boasts a safety score of 79 out of 100, compared to a UK average of 79, indicating a similar level of perceived safety.
Understanding the police response times is crucial in assessing the effectiveness of the police presence. Data from 2024 reveals that the mean immediate response time for Rugeley is 14 minutes. However, the mean priority response time is significantly longer, averaging 218 minutes. This means that while urgent situations receive a relatively prompt response, non-emergency or lower priority incidents may experience a considerable delay before police intervention. It's important to note that these are mean times and actual response times can vary based on factors such as incident severity, location, and resource availability.
It's worth considering the context of these figures. A lower crime rate and a comparable safety score, when compared to the UK average, suggest that Rugeley is generally a safe place to live. However, the longer priority response time highlights a potential area for improvement in police service delivery. Residents should be aware of the non-emergency contact methods and consider reporting suspicious activity promptly to help police proactively manage incidents.