Local People Give Information to Police Authority
Posted on 12th February 2010
Nottinghamshire Police Authority's impromptu road-show across the county enabled 573 people to give their views on policing on a face to face basis.
People were asked to prioritise six different options by allocating vouchers worth £150.00 (roughly the amount a band D - the average - household has paid towards policing this year) to the following categories:
- Understanding communities, efficiency measures and training.
- Anti-social behaviour and Hate Crime
- Violent crime and Domestic Violence
- Serious Organised Crime, Terrorism and Violent Extremism
- Burglary, car crime, robbery and theft of personal property
- Youth crime and crimes relating to drugs and alcohol.
In Newark, the top three priorities were, in order, acquisitive crime (5), youth crime drug and alcohol related crime (6), and anti-social behaviour. In Mansfield, where a massive 255 visited the stand, people said that their top priority was youth crime, drug and alcohol related crime (6) followed by anti-social behaviour (2) and acquisitive crime (5).
Workshop people mirrored the views of those in Newark and people visiting the stand in Victoria Centre, Nottingham, reflected the same issues as Mansfield.
John Clarke, Chair of the Authority, said that the events had been a huge success, and people really enjoyed allocating the actual value to their priority policing issues. "We met a great many people from across the county and their views matter to us. We will use these outcomes when we prepare the policing plan for the coming year to help us focus on the key issues that matter most to local residents," he said.
"In addition to those who took the time to stop and talk to us, for which we are grateful, we were also able to give out a lot of information on the work of the Authority, explaining our role in policing, which people found interesting as some were unaware that we are an independent organisation."
The Authority also offered a £50 shopping voucher as a raffle prize for all those who took part in the events, which was won by Mrs Beavers from Worksop. Her ticket was drawn out of the hat by Adam Pemberton of HMIC.
John Clarke added that more events like this would be organised over the coming months as they provide a good opportunity to talk to a diverse audience on topical issues affecting policing in the County.