The police response to crime in Swanage, Dorset, is a key concern for residents. With a population of 9402, Swanage demonstrates a crime rate of 45.4 incidents per 1,000 people. This is notably higher than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a greater prevalence of reported crime within the area. However, it’s important to consider the overall safety score, which stands at a respectable 89 out of 100 – above the UK average of 79 – indicating that despite the higher crime rate, residents generally perceive Swanage as a safe place to live.
Understanding how the police respond to incidents is vital. Data from 2024 reveals the mean police immediate response time in Swanage is 14 minutes. This refers to situations requiring urgent attention, such as those involving immediate danger to life or serious injury. The mean police priority response time, however, is considerably longer at 126 minutes. Priority incidents are those requiring police action but not demanding an immediate response, such as reports of theft or criminal damage. This longer response time highlights a potential challenge in resource allocation and the need for efficient handling of non-emergency situations.
It's important to note that these figures represent means, and individual response times can vary based on factors like incident location, available resources, and the severity of the situation. Residents should be aware of when to call 999 for immediate assistance and when to report non-emergency incidents through online channels or the non-emergency phone line. The higher crime rate, while concerning, doesn't necessarily reflect an inherently unsafe environment, but rather underlines the importance of proactive community engagement and continued efforts to support the police in maintaining safety and security within Swanage.