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Leicestershire Police Authority

Evaluation of meet the Chair and Chief events October 3rd 2011

‘Financing the Future'

Meet the Chairman of the Police Authority and Chief Constable

Public Engagement events 2011

Aim

To provide information to the public about the financial position of the Police Authority and Constabulary and what has been achieved so far in the way of savings and re organisation.  It is also an opportunity to inform people about the planned introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners in place of Police Authorities and for the public to ask questions about policing.

Objectives

  • To enable the Chairman of the Police Authority, Chief Constable and Chief Executive/Treasurer to deliver presentations on finance, performance and future plans to members of the public so that they are better informed and able to contribute to future planning
  • To provide the public with the opportunity to ask questions about policing in an open forum
  • To demonstrate that the Police Authority and Constabulary answer concerns honestly and transparently
  • To highlight how the Police Authority and Constabulary consider public views when making decisions about future resources and priorities
  • To raise awareness of the role of the Police Authority
  • To raise awareness of the potential for changes to policing governance.

Details of events

Events were held at the venues below to cover Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

  • 24 May, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester
  • 16 June, Rutland County Council, Oakham Rutland
  • 27 June, Town Hall, Leicester City
  • 14 July, Police Headquarters, St Johns, Enderby

All events commenced at 6.30pm and lasted two hours on the basis that the majority of people wishing to attend would be available, but the end time was not too late to put people off. (Light refreshments and partner information stands were available from 6pm)

The panel comprised of Barrie Roper, Chairman of the Police Authority, Simon Cole, Chief Constable and Paul Stock, Chief Executive/Treasurer of the Police Authority.

Each gave a short presentation, which was in some elements, tailored to the area in which the event was held.  Across the four events about 280 people attended to hear the presentations and ask questions.

Each event was facilitated by BBC Radio Leicester presenter Ben Jackson which enabled the evening to run smoothly and helped to glide over any potential stumbling blocks.

The main reoccurring themes were:

  • Reduction in police numbers and any impact on service
  • Traffic Offences
  • Anti Social Behaviour
  • Use of volunteers
  • Police and Crime Commissioners
  • Partnership working
  • Communication and engagement with young people

Most questions were answered on the night, with a handful of questions responded to after the event direct to the person asking the question.  A summary of questions and answers has been published on the Police Authority Website.

Ninety five attendees completed the ‘Neighbourhood Priority Setting' questionnaire.  These were reasonably representative of the population as a whole in terms of Gender, Ethnicity, Religion and Disability.

However, there were significant disproportionalities in terms of age

  • Less than 10% of respondents were under the age of 45 - compared with 60% of the population
  • Nearly three quarters of respondents were over the age of 55 compared with only around a quarter of the population
  • The 65-74 Age group was nearly 4 times "over represented"

In terms of issues in their neighbourhoods, over half of all respondents said that ‘Speeding Vehicles' was one of the top 3 areas of concern in their areas. Approximately one in 3 of respondents stated that ‘Inconsiderate Parking', ‘Rubbish/Litter' and ‘Dog Fouling' were major areas of concern. Nearly a quarter of people mentioned ‘Young People causing nuisance', ‘Drunk/Rowdy Behaviour ‘and ‘Vandalism/Graffiti' as being issues. Nothing else was considered as a major concern (i.e. only around 10% or less of respondents mentioned it) overall.


The table below summarises the responses.

 

 

Number of people who considered this a Problem

Number of people who considered this not to be a Problem

 

Speeding vehicles

50

45

52.63%

Inconsiderate parking

39

56

41.05%

Rubbish/litter

30

65

31.58%

Dog Fouling

30

65

31.58%

Young people causing a nuisance in the street

22

73

23.16%

People being drunk or rowdy

20

75

21.05%

Vandalism, graffiti & other deliberate damage

19

76

20.00%

Noisy neighbours/ loud parties

11

84

11.58%

Lack of things to do

11

84

11.58%

People using/dealing drugs

10

85

10.53%

Not feeling safe

10

85

10.53%

Abandoned vehicles

5

90

5.26%

Poor or broken street lighting

2

93

2.11%

Other (please state):

11

84

11.58%

 

3 x Cycling on pavement

 

 

 

 

8 separate issues

 

 

 

The views collected in the surveys (along with those collected at neighbourhood level) are collated and form part of the local neighbourhood priorities that are set for each Local Policing Unit. 

What next?

The Authority now needs to consider the most effective way of undertaking its resource and priority setting consultation ahead of the budget for 2012-13. 

To assist this it is suggested that all those involved in the meetings are asked to put forward a suggestion for ‘one thing they would like to see done differently'.

It is also suggested that consideration is given to online versions of any survey undertaken in the coming months.