Wellington News

Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

In an attempt to better understand what local people think about policing in their area, from this summer West Mercia Police will consult them four times more often.

Every year, in partnership with the Telford & Wrekin Safer & Stronger Communities Partnership, the force carries out a Crime and Safety Survey to establish local people's views on those issues which matter most to them, such as crime and anti social behaviourHowever, starting on Monday (29 June), this surveying will be undertaken quarterly rather than annually so the force can more quickly respond to issues of concern to our communities. Residents living across the West Mercia area, including Telford & Wrekin, are selected on a random basis and asked to complete a postal survey that seeks their opinions on a range of issues, including:

* Their opinion of West Mercia Police

* Experience of dealing with the police in the last 12 months

* Local neighbourhood issues

* Worry about crime

* Experiences of being a victim of crime

*Experiences of reporting crime to West Mercia Police The survey also asks residents to state what they believe to be the priorities in their local area which the police and partners should be tackling.

Chief Superintendent Nick Mason, head of Strategy, Performance and Communications, said: "The Crime and Safety Partnership survey allows people to tell us honestly what they think about local policing in their area. Stepping up this surveying to a quarterly basis means we can get a better idea of any emerging trends in people's opinions and we can react more quickly to what they are telling us. 

 "Improving the confidence and satisfaction of our communities is key for West Mercia Police: consulting local residents on a more frequent basis will help us and our partner agencies react to their needs and provide them with a better service.

"We are also interested in the level of people's worries and fears about crime because these can often be out of proportion to actual crime levels. This is particularly important across West Mercia as it remains an area of low levels of crime and anti social behaviour.

"Sometimes problems exist that do need to be tackled directly; however on other occasions more visible patrolling and improved communication between the police and the community are the key to providing reassurance.

"If you get a survey in the post, please fill it out and return it to us: it's an opportunity for you to shape the way Telford & Wrekin is policed.

"To help the force address local needs many of the survey questions ask people to think about their neighbourhood area when answering. There are also questions relating specifically to initiatives going on in the Borough which will help us to assess how well people think these are working.

"If you don't receive a survey, you can still have your say. Partners and Communities Together (PACT) gives you the chance to tell your local policing team, local authority and other partner agencies about the issues causing concern in your neighbourhood and which ones you want us to deal with as a priority. Once the community agrees on the top priorities, we'll work together to address them.Find our more about PACT, including dates for forthcoming meetings and events in your area, by visiting our website at www.westmercia.police.uk or by calling 0300 333 3000."