The effectiveness of the police presence in Great Blakenham, a Built-Up Area (BUA) in Mid Suffolk with a population of 2505, can be assessed by examining crime statistics, safety scores, and response times. Currently, Great Blakenham exhibits a crime rate of 47.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK national average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, suggesting a relatively safer environment. The area also boasts a strong safety score of 89 out of 100, surpassing the UK average of 79, which further reinforces this perception of safety.
However, a crucial element in evaluating police effectiveness is response time. Data from 2024 indicates a mean immediate police response time of 13 minutes. While this reflects a prompt reaction to urgent situations, the mean priority response time is 50 minutes. This longer timeframe for non-immediate incidents highlights a potential area for review and possible improvement. It's important to understand that 'priority' incidents can still be serious, and a 50-minute response may be concerning for some residents.
It’s vital to contextualize these figures. Response times can be influenced by numerous factors including call volume, resource availability, and geographical challenges. While the immediate response time is reasonable, the 50-minute priority response time warrants consideration and highlights the complexity of assessing police effectiveness. The relatively low crime rate itself may contribute to the ability to manage response times, as fewer incidents overall place less strain on resources. Further investigation into the specific types of incidents classified as 'priority' and the reasons for the longer response times would provide a more nuanced understanding of police effectiveness in Great Blakenham.