Local police officers speed up incident response times

The Local Police Unit, which covers Wilmslow, Handforth, Alderley Edge and Prestbury, has improved their response rate to incidents.

Between January and March 2024 the average time taken to answer non-emergency calls was 3 minutes and 51 seconds compared to 5 minutes and 50 seconds for the same period last year.

Whilst 93% of emergency incidents were attended in 15 minutes, up 1% compared last year. 89% of prompt incidents were attended in 60 minutes, which was the same as last year.

During the first three months of this year 18,851 crimes were recorded, down 1% on last year and the number of incidents created fell by 4% to 51,555. Arrests also fell by 4% to 5,163.

Between January and March 2024 domestic abuse action taken was 21%, up 1%, and sexual offences overall action taken remained the same at 24%.

So far in 2024 the average time taken to arrive at an emergency incident has been 7 minutes and 52 seconds compared to 8 minutes and 5 seconds in 2023.

Amongst the concerns most frequently raised by local residents is dangerous and obstructive parking in the Wilmslow area.

As a result of ongoing parking issues, Cheshire Constabulary has created Op Park Safe. This operation has been successfully trialed in Crewe and has now rolled out to the rest of Cheshire East.

Inspector Nick Rogers, Neighbourhood Inspector for Knutsford and Wilmslow, said If you identify dangerous or obstructive parking that is a risk of causing harm then please call 101 or 999 if it is an emergency, however otherwise please take photos of the vehicle and where they are parked and report it via the Cheshire Constabulary website.

"From here, the evidence will be assessed and if it is confirmed an offence has occurred then the registered keeping may be issued with a notice of impending prosecution.

"Specifically for Wilmslow, we are keeping an eye on the ongoing parking issues reported at Ashdene Primary School and will be regularly attending the location."