The level of police presence in Littleport, a built-up area in East Cambridgeshire with a population of 9,448, is a concern when considering response times. While Littleport demonstrates a relatively good safety score of 85 out of 100, which is higher than the UK average of 79, its crime rate of 62.8 per 1,000 residents is lower than the UK average of 91.6. However, the speed at which police respond to incidents paints a more nuanced picture.
Data from 2024 reveals the mean immediate response time for police in Littleport is 19 minutes. An 'immediate response' typically covers incidents requiring urgent attention, such as those involving a threat to life or serious injury. The mean time for a 'priority response' is considerably longer, standing at 116 minutes. A 'priority response' refers to incidents that require police attention but don't necessarily demand an immediate presence, such as certain burglaries or investigations.
It's important to understand what these response times mean. A 19-minute immediate response time signifies a delay before police arrive at a critical situation, while the 116-minute priority response time suggests a longer wait for investigations or less urgent matters. These figures are averages, and actual response times can vary significantly based on factors such as the severity of the incident, the availability of resources, and the distance to the location.
Comparing these times to broader UK averages (if available) would provide further context, although the provided data doesn't include that comparative information. The higher safety score suggests that overall, residents feel safe, but the response times are an area of potential concern that warrants consideration and perhaps further investigation by local authorities and community groups to understand contributing factors and explore potential improvements. Residents should continue to report any suspicious activity and consider joining local neighbourhood watch schemes to bolster community safety.