The level of police presence in Rural Rochford, a BUA within Rochford, Essex, can be assessed through several key indicators. Rural Rochford has a population of 5912, and its crime rate stands at 44.8 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000, suggesting a generally lower crime environment compared to the national picture. The area also boasts a safety score of 88 out of 100, exceeding the UK average of 79, further reinforcing this perception of relative safety.
However, understanding police response times is crucial in gauging the practical impact of this lower crime rate. Data from 2024 indicates a mean immediate response time of 15 minutes for Rural Rochford. This represents the average time it takes for police to respond to emergencies requiring urgent attention. In contrast, the mean priority response time is considerably longer, at 259 minutes. Priority incidents are those requiring police attention but not demanding an immediate presence. This 259-minute timeframe suggests that while urgent situations are addressed relatively quickly, non-emergency or lower-priority issues may experience a longer wait for police intervention.
It's important to note that these are mean response times, and individual experiences may vary. Factors such as the specific location within Rural Rochford, the nature of the incident, and resource availability can all influence response times. The lower crime rate contributes to a more manageable workload for local police, but the longer priority response time may reflect broader challenges in resource allocation and coverage across rural areas. Residents should be aware of these response times and consider reporting non-emergency concerns through appropriate channels, such as the Essex Police website or non-emergency telephone lines, to avoid overwhelming the immediate response system for genuine emergencies.