The question of police presence in Hatfield Broad Oak, a built-up area within Uttlesford, is understandably important for residents. While a definitive number of officers permanently stationed within the village isn't publicly available, we can assess the level of police presence through various data points.
Firstly, Hatfield Broad Oak has a comparatively low crime rate of 71.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. This is notably lower than the UK average of 91.6 incidents per 1,000. This suggests that, relative to the population of 1628, the village experiences less crime. A safety score of 82/100 further reinforces this perception, exceeding the UK average of 79. While safety scores are composite metrics, they generally reflect residents' feelings of security and the overall crime landscape.
Understanding response times is crucial in gauging police presence and effectiveness. Data from 2024 indicates that the mean immediate police response time in Hatfield Broad Oak is 15 minutes. This applies to situations requiring urgent intervention. However, the mean priority response time is considerably longer, standing at 259 minutes. A 'priority' response indicates that action is required, but not immediately urgent. This longer timeframe highlights a potential area where resources may be stretched, and it's important to understand that this is a mean average and individual response times can vary considerably depending on factors such as incident severity and availability of resources.
It's important to note that police presence isn't solely determined by the number of officers or response times. Community policing initiatives, crime prevention schemes, and local partnerships all contribute to a sense of security. Residents can find information on local policing activities through the Essex Police website and by engaging with local community groups. The lower crime rate and good safety score in Hatfield Broad Oak suggest that a combination of factors, including potentially adequate police resources and community efforts, are contributing to a relatively safe environment.