The level of police presence and response time in Rural Rother, located within Rother, is a key factor in understanding the area's safety profile. With a population of 15,639, Rural Rother exhibits a crime rate of 59.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the United Kingdom’s average crime rate of 91.6 per 1,000. This lower crime rate contributes to a strong safety score of 86 out of 100, exceeding the UK average of 79.
When considering police response, it’s important to differentiate between immediate and priority responses. Data from 2024 shows that the mean immediate response time for police in Rural Rother is 16 minutes. An 'immediate response' typically covers incidents requiring urgent attention, such as potential threats to life or serious ongoing crimes. For priority responses, the mean response time is considerably longer, averaging 107 minutes. A 'priority response' addresses matters that require police action but do not demand an immediate presence, such as investigating non-urgent reports or following up on leads.
It’s vital to recognise that rural policing presents unique challenges. Lower population density often means officers cover a larger geographical area, which can naturally impact response times. The nature of incidents in rural areas may also differ, potentially requiring more time for investigation. While the response times in Rural Rother are a data point, understanding the context of rural policing is crucial. Reporting any concerns to the police promptly remains the best course of action, regardless of the expected response time, to ensure appropriate action can be taken.