The responsiveness of local police to crime concerns in Highfields Caldecote, a Built-Up Area (BUA) in South Cambridgeshire with a population of 2892, is a valid question. Understanding how quickly police respond to different types of incidents is crucial for community safety and peace of mind.
Highfields Caldecote currently exhibits a crime rate of 59.5 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000 residents, suggesting a generally lower incidence of crime compared to the national picture. The area also boasts a safety score of 85/100, which is above the UK average of 79, further indicating a relatively safe environment.
However, the key factor in assessing responsiveness lies in police response times. Data from 2024 indicates a mean immediate response time of 19 minutes for Highfields Caldecote. A 'priority' response, which covers less urgent incidents, currently has a mean response time of 116 minutes. It's important to note that these are averages and actual response times can vary considerably based on incident severity, police resource availability, and geographic location within the BUA.
The 19-minute immediate response time suggests that urgent situations, such as those involving immediate danger or potential harm, are addressed with relative promptness. However, the 116-minute priority response time may be a cause for concern for residents, particularly if they feel that certain issues require a more timely intervention. It’s important to remember that 'priority' responses are for issues that don't require an immediate physical presence but still require police action.
Understanding the classification of incidents as 'immediate' versus 'priority' is also vital. Residents should be aware of how to accurately categorise concerns when reporting them to ensure appropriate response levels. For non-urgent matters, reporting via online channels or the non-emergency number is often advisable to avoid unnecessarily burdening the immediate response system.