The level of police presence in Ottery St Mary, a built-up area in East Devon with a population of 6077, is a complex topic that requires examining crime statistics, safety scores, and response times. While a direct measure of police presence (e.g., number of officers) isn't available from the provided data, we can infer it from related indicators.
Ottery St Mary's crime rate stands at 45.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000, suggesting a generally safer environment compared to the national picture. The area also boasts a safety score of 88 out of 100, again exceeding the UK average of 79. This high safety score contributes to a perception of safety within the community.
However, a crucial aspect of police presence is the speed of response. Data from 2024 reveals that the mean immediate response time for police in Ottery St Mary is 17 minutes. For priority incidents, the mean response time is 39 minutes. While 'immediate' responses are intended for the most urgent situations, a 17-minute average suggests potential delays. The 39-minute priority response time also indicates a potentially slower response to non-emergency but still important situations. These response times, while representing a mean, can be affected by numerous factors including resource allocation and incident volume across the broader Devon and Cornwall Police force area.
It's important to note that these statistics provide a snapshot in time and don’t necessarily reflect a continuous or unchanging picture. Crime rates and response times can fluctuate. Further investigation into the specific types of crimes occurring and the resources allocated to policing Ottery St Mary would provide a more complete understanding of the level of police presence and its effectiveness. The lower crime rate and higher safety score suggest that, despite the longer response times, the area is relatively well-policed compared to other parts of the UK.