Majority of public think last summer’s riots well handled, says new Policing in Britain report

Feb. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- A new report into policing attitudes at the end of 2011 suggests that over half the public is supportive of police action taken at the time of last year’s riots, and over 5% more people say the police in their area are doing a good job, compared with a year previously.  While 1 in 4 thinks the police could have handled last summer’s riots better, the public is generally supportive of the police and think that they, and the police, are often let down by the justice system.

The new report presenting research carried out by Andrew Smith Research and Research Now is the second annual report of this kind.  It provides Police Authorities with a clear insight into the public perception of what the Police are doing in their area, what the public priorities are for spending the policing budget, and how the fear of crime, and actual crime, impacts the quality of daily life.  Over 1000 people across Britain were interviewed during the Survey in December 2011.

Andrew Smith, lead researcher on the project commented “The public takes pride in the British police, and on the whole people feel safe, despite last year’s highly publicised disturbances, but they want the police to be more visible in their communities.”

Other highlights from the survey include:

•   How big a problem is crime? 1 in 5 has been a victim of crime or serious anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the last 12 months, with the proportion reaching 4 in 10 in ‘tough areas’ (self-defined), where people think that crime is getting worse.  In ‘safe areas’, a decreasing proportion think crime is getting worse, indicating an increasingly polarised experience of crime and ASB depending on the area you live in.

•   Policing priorities and limits. As in late 2010 we place a far higher priority on core roles such as responding to emergencies, tackling violent crime and domestic and child abuse, than on providing crime prevention advice and working within schools. Most people are realistic about policing priorities when their force is faced with tough budget limits.

•   Boosting public safety. A more visible on-street police presence, especially in the face of greater ASB, is the most likely way to bolster feelings of safety. PCSOs are generally welcomed, although many caution against using them more widely in place of regular officers, purely so save money.

•   Communication. Only half the adult population says that they are well informed about local policing. Local newspapers and TV are used most by all age groups, a fact which should not to be forgotten in the rush to connect online.

•   What services are people happy to have cut?The public is very concerned about cuts to the front line police presence on the streets, but far happier with plans for administration cuts, whilst having mixed feelings about the policy of selling off police stations and locating more officers ‘in the community’. This current strategy needs very careful communication to win hearts and minds.

The report also investigates the public views on policing the police and finds that only 1 in 7 knows about the Commissioner elections this November, though most then say they will vote.  “It will be very interesting to find how the public engagement campaign in advance of the elections will affect the results of our late 2012 Policing in Britain survey” comments Andrew Smith.

For more details and a free trends report visit http://www.andrewsmithresearch.co.uk/life-in-britain/poli...

ENDS



Notes to Editor:

For further information please contact:

   Andrew Smith Research
   Office: 01372 817979    
   Mobile: 07910 539988
   E:andrew@andrewsmithresearch.co.uk

About Andrew Smith Research:

With over 25 years experience in market research consultancy, Andrew Smith formed Andrew Smith Research in 2004.  

Working with Research Now, the global online research panel company, Andrew Smith Research has undertaken one previous study into ‘Policing in Britain’ in December 2010 and this annual survey highlights year on year trends.  This works builds on specific projects by ASR on behalf of Surrey Police Authority, Thames Valley Police Authority and Hampshire Police Authority in recent years.

ASR has also conducted the annual ‘Customer Life in Britain’ survey with Research Now since 2005.

A detailed statistical data report plus database of verbatim answers are available at a cost of £200 + VAT for both Policing in Britain reports from ASR.