The police response to incidents of violence and sexual offences in Wickham Bishops, a built-up area in Maldon, is a key concern for residents. Understanding how quickly police can respond is vital for ensuring community safety. Based on available data from 2024, the mean immediate response time for police in Wickham Bishops is 15 minutes. This refers to responses to incidents deemed urgent, requiring immediate police presence. The mean priority response time, however, is considerably longer at 259 minutes. This timeframe applies to incidents requiring a police response but not demanding an immediate intervention.
It's important to contextualise these figures within the broader picture of Wickham Bishops' safety profile. The area boasts a crime rate of 22.7 per 1,000 residents, significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 per 1,000. This translates to a high safety score of 94 out of 100, again exceeding the UK average of 79. A lower crime rate generally indicates a more effective police presence and proactive crime prevention strategies. However, response times, while seemingly disparate between immediate and priority calls, are still influenced by factors such as resource allocation, incident severity, and geographical challenges.
It's crucial to note that the 'priority' response time does not necessarily mean a delayed response; it indicates incidents that are dealt with but not requiring immediate on-scene intervention. These might include follow-up investigations or dealing with less urgent matters. The population of Wickham Bishops is relatively small, at 2111 people, which may influence the allocation of police resources and subsequent response times. The figures provided are means, meaning there will be variation in individual response times based on the specifics of each incident. For those concerned about violence or sexual offences, reporting any suspicious activity promptly remains the best course of action, even if the immediate response time is longer.