OPCC Annual Survey 2021 / 2022
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC) Survey Results 2021 – 2022
We recently conducted a pan Bedfordshire survey and wanted to share the headline results with you.
Overall
- A total of 555 residents of Bedfordshire answered the survey.
- Various research has shown that the availability of positive role models (mentors) for individuals that are more likely to enter into offending, can have a dramatic impact on the likelihood of those individuals not taking the path of criminality. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) will work with partners and the business community to create a pool of relevant and experienced individuals that will help shape future life paths for those that take this opportunity.
These individuals will be involved and support by listening and entering into conversation around;
- Future work opportunities / career aspirations
- Understand existing skills and talents
- What their plans are for the future
- What issues are impacting upon them in their private life
- How to seek assistance and support from external partners and agencies
- Signpost them to external partners and agencies
- How they can support them
- How to build their confidence
When asked ‘do you believe this approach would have a positive affect?’, 68% of respondents said yes.
- 6% of respondents found the OPCC website wasn’t accessible. When asked why they felt this way, the most common response was that they prefer to speak to a member of the OPCC face to face or via email/phone rather than use the website to find the information.
- 85% were not aware that the Delivery Board meetings were recorded and available to view on the website. 84% were also not aware they could raise questions to be asked at these meetings by emailing the OPCC.
- Again, we struggled to receive the views from 16-24 year olds as they only made up 0.45% of respondents, which is lower than last year’s survey.
Crime
What the results told us:
- When asked ‘are there any areas in Bedfordshire that you feel unsafe?’, 59% of respondents voted yes.
- Within the survey, across the whole of the county, Luton was mentioned the most as an unsafe area from respondents. With some respondents mentioning specific areas across Luton.
- 63% of respondents didn’t feel there was sufficient support available for those who wish to move away from criminality. When asked why they felt this way, the most common responses were lack of funding and lack of resources.
What the OPCC will do:
The commissioner is continuing to meet local Parish/ Town Councillors to understand the issues faced across Bedfordshire. With a focus on Luton and looking at how the force can impact on these areas to increase the feeling of safety.
Safer streets funding has been secured to focus on neighbourhood crime and ASB in the South Luton ward and initiatives will be implemented over the next 12 months. The Safer Street fund will be performance monitored and the results will reflect the safety of the targeted areas. This project will also build a strong platform for the OPCC to work with partners in engaging in similar concepts.
The OPCC have started a ‘Spotlight’ social media campaign to highlight the services which they commission. This is working towards highlighting the service, who they are, what they do and who they can support. This work will continue to promote the services, especially those who are commissioned to support those that want to move away from criminality.
Over the summer, the PCC supported the Summer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, hosted by the 3 local authorities, by providing each attendee with a Water Bottle with a QR Code which links through to the commissioned services who are there to support all communities across Bedfordshire.
Victim
What the results told us:
- 69% of respondents were unaware of the number of police stations and hubs within Bedfordshire. This is a rise of 9%. As a result, 70% of respondents have not used the current available stations.
- 49% of respondents were unaware of Bedfordshire Victim Care Services (BVCS) (previously known as Signpost). 94% of respondents had never used any of the services offered by BVCS. Positively, 68% of respondents would use BVCS if they became a victim of crime.
- 85% of respondents were unaware of the Street Safe app.
What the OPCC will do:
Bedfordshire Police constantly use social media to highlight the different hubs and stations they own. The OPCC want to also work to highlight that stations and hubs are around the county for residents to visit.
The BVCS will review its communications strategy and expand it where necessary. It will also review the referral rate from the force and carryout some internal communications to increase the referral rate.
As part of the Safer Street project the OPCC will promote the Street Safe App and what is done with the information to help improve the feeling of safety.
Watch Schemes
What the results told us:
- 128 respondents were not aware of any of Bedfordshire’s Watch Schemes.
- 80% of those who were aware of Watch Schemes, knew about Speed Watch.
- Of all respondents, 11% would like to receive more information about the various Watch Schemes.
What the OPCC will do:
The OPCC and Bedfordshire Police have increased funding for the Watch Schemes and will engage with the team that supports these to get greater promotion and engagement in these schemes.
The OPCC have passed on the email addresses from those who asked to sign up and/or asked for more information about the Watch Schemes. The Watch Scheme team will be providing those with further information. More information on the Watch Schemes.
The items the OPCC will be monitoring or conducting directly due to this survey are:
- Safer Streets Project performance review
- Scrutiny of the work of the Neighbourhood Enforcement Team
- Promote the Delivery Board to get better engagement from the public
- The OPCC is holding a business conference where the various organisations will be highlighting support and advice for the businesses of Bedfordshire