Best Value

Forces currently set their own target times for responses to emergency calls, typically between 10 minutes for urban forces and 20 minutes for rural forces. ACPO currently plan to standardise at those figures.

From April, the extent to which forces meet their response time targets is included in the suite of police Best Value Performance Indicators.

The Best Value duty, placed on police authorities from April, provides a framework for them and forces to review all their activities, including how they respond to the concerns of rural communities.

An integral part of Best Value is that police authorities must consult widely within the local community before compiling Best Value Performance Plans and undertaking Best Value Reviews. Local Parish Councils and other such bodies can prove invaluable in ensuring a meaningful response in sparsely populated areas.