The proportion of people who feel crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) is a very big or quite a big problem in their area has risen from 25pc in 2015 to 40 per cent in 2018, according to the findings from official inspectors’ fourth survey on public views of policing across England and Wales. The study consisted of 17,043 surveys with members of the public, most via online panels, with a small number conducted-face-to-face.
Whereas some 81 per cent of those responding thought that online crime was a big problem, only a minority, 34pc, felt confident in their local police’s ability to deal effectively with online crime, according to the 64-page study for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).
While the report described satisfaction with local police as ‘relatively high’, a small proportion felt the service has got better (8pc), whereas over a fifth perceive it has got worse (22pc). Respondents were most confident that police would effective in dealing with an emergency (74pc), and least confident that the police would be effective in dealing
with a non-emergency.
It continues to be important to respondents that there is a visible police presence in their area, whether in a vehicle or on foot. When asked to choose from a list of crimes police should prioritise respondents were most likely to select dealing with terrorism and extremism (49pc), child sexual exploitation and abuse (46pc) and violent crime (41pc). Further down came commercial and business crimes (27pc), online abuse (22pc) and ASB and other non-criminal incidents (19pc).
Comment
At the National Police Chiefs’ Council, NPCC lead on Local Policing, Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “Satisfaction for local police services remains consistently high and the proportion of respondents who are satisfied has increased from 2017. Confidence in policing has increased, with more people speaking highly of their service than are critical of it. Although respondents acknowledge that crime and anti-social behaviour are increasing, they do feel that their local police are taking appropriate action to combat them.
“It is clear from the survey that police visibility remains very important to the public. All chief constables are working to ensure the service is as visible and approachable as possible despite reduced funding, and Police and Crime Commissioners are currently consulting on their budget proposals for next year. Community engagement and trust in the police are central to the British policing model.”
