New Figures Confirm Surry Hills Among Fastest for Police Call-Outs

Surry Hills has recorded one of the fastest police emergency response times in New South Wales, according to newly released state-wide data.

Emergency Response Gaps Across Sydney

A new report detailing emergency response times across NSW has revealed wide disparities depending on postcode, with inner-city suburbs like Surry Hills consistently receiving faster police assistance compared to parts of western Sydney and regional areas.

NSW crime data — *Photo Credit: NSW Police/Facebook*

Current Performance in Surry Hills

Surry Hills recorded an average response time of 5 minutes and 6 seconds for priority call-outs. This ranked it among the top three fastest areas in the state, along with Leichhardt and Kings Cross. Priority incidents include domestic violence, violent assaults, threats to life, and robberies.

Context Across Greater Sydney

In contrast, suburbs west of Sydney’s CBD reported significantly slower response times. Camden topped the list with the slowest average at 12 minutes and 6 seconds—almost double that of Surry Hills. Other western regions such as Bankstown, Fairfield, Campbelltown, and Liverpool also lagged behind, all falling outside the seven-minute threshold.

Statewide Trends and Regional Delays

The state’s slowest response time was recorded in the Barrier police district, which includes Broken Hill and spans over a quarter of NSW’s land area, with an average of 18 minutes and 21 seconds. Several regional districts, including the Mid North Coast and Murrumbidgee, also exceeded 15-minute averages.

Challenges in Service Delivery

NSW Police have cited several contributing factors to slower response times, including traffic congestion, call volume, and distances required to travel. Population growth and officer availability have also been identified as ongoing challenges, particularly in western and regional areas.

Staffing and Capacity Issues

Official data indicates a drop of 1,096 serving officers across NSW compared to five years ago. Recruitment challenges and officer leave have been highlighted as contributing factors. Despite this, statewide performance has improved, with 79.8 per cent of urgent calls met within the 12-minute benchmark, up from 73.9 per cent the previous year.

Public and Government Commentary

NSW opposition figures have flagged the regional discrepancies as a concern for public safety. While they suggest the trends may indicate an under-resourced frontline workforce, NSW Police maintain that high-risk incidents are prioritised and that response benchmarks vary by district.

Looking Ahead

Although areas like Surry Hills continue to meet or exceed response benchmarks, other districts face ongoing pressures from infrastructure, staffing, and demographic shifts. NSW Police have reiterated their commitment to improving service delivery across all regions.

Published 3-May-2025