This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Report on impact of "police visibility"
09/12/2002
Local policing policies, more engagement with the public
and better resource management are some of the
recommendations made in a report today by Her Majesty's
Inspectorate of Constabulary on the impact of police
visibility on public reassurance.
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Roy
Cameron, said:
"This report deals with a subject that is important to
everyone. Policing is essentially about communities and for
communities. That is why we must always take account of
public opinion in informing policy, setting policing
priorities and devising appropriate responses.
"But research suggests a potential gap between public
expectation and service delivery with regard to police
work. In short, the police cannot be everywhere.
"If we are to ensure policing resources are used to the
greatest effect, we have to manage that gap and explain
what we are doing and why we are doing it.
"I believe that requires a combination of measures
including: a reduction in the range of non-core functions
which the police currently tackle; a more informed and
realistic assessment by the public of what policing can
achieve; and a partnership approach to dealing with the
underlying causes of crime and fear of crime.
"The promotion of community safety involves not only
effective policing but also positive citizenship and public
policy. I believe the recommendations arising from this
report offer a challenging but practical way to manage the
potential gap between perception and delivery."
Market research commissioned as part of this study
provided a snapshot in relation to public perceptions of
reassurance.
When asked about their awareness of police officers on
foot patrol, some three-quarters of adults indicated they
had seen officers patrolling on foot in public places at
certain times.
When asked:
where and when would it be most important for you
to see or see more police officers on foot? the
following responses were given:
- 68% thought it most important to see police
officers on foot patrol within housing estates during
the evening/at night
- 39% thought it most important to see police
officers on foot patrol outside pubs and clubs at
closing time
- 33% thought it most important to see police
officers on foot patrol at known local hotspots at
crucial times
- 28% thought it most important to see police
officers on foot patrol at schools at starting and
closing times
- over 80% agreed that such an enhanced and targeted
visible police presence - ideally involving actual
contact or engagement between the officers and the
public - would make local people feel safer and would
either reduce or prevent crime.
Additional recommendations in the report relate to the
development of:
- Evidence based, consistent policing policies.
- locally sensitive policing strategies
- Good communication of strategies
- More consistent management of the grading of calls
and the police response
- Operational strategies which ensure healthy
recruitment, retention and efficient resource
deployment