The level of police presence in South Molton, a Built-Up Area (BUA) in North Devon, can be assessed through a combination of crime statistics, safety scores, and police response times. With a population of 6136, South Molton exhibits a crime rate of 71.4 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the United Kingdom average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, suggesting a relatively safer environment compared to many other areas across the country.
Further bolstering this perception is South Molton’s safety score of 82 out of 100, which also surpasses the UK average of 79. This score reflects a positive assessment of safety indicators within the area. However, understanding police response times is crucial for evaluating the effectiveness of the police presence.
Data from 2024 indicates a mean immediate police response time of 17 minutes. An immediate response is typically reserved for situations presenting an immediate threat to life or serious risk of harm. For priority incidents, which require a timely but not necessarily immediate response, the mean response time is 39 minutes. These figures represent the average time taken for police to respond to calls and can be influenced by factors such as call volume, geographical spread of incidents, and resource availability.
It's important to interpret these figures within context. While the lower crime rate and higher safety score are encouraging, the police response times, particularly for priority incidents, might indicate potential areas for improvement or highlight the challenges faced by the local constabulary. The data provided only reflects mean response times; individual experiences may vary. Factors impacting response times are not detailed here, but could include the distance to incidents and the availability of resources at the time of the call.