Issue of the Month Results

The Government has issued a Green Paper which aims to give local people a stronger voice on shaping local policing. It includes the introduction of a new policing pledge- which sets out what you can expect from your local police team e.g. the amount of time officers should spend on the beat, easy ways to contact the police and the expected police response times to all calls and incidents reported.

Do you think you should have more say on how policing is delivered where you live?

"The police need to understand that people worry. Crime is changing there is more knife crime and Preston has guns! They need to listen to residents and be around alot more but we still need them to find the criminals so the government needs to give more money to the police for more officers."

“Yes, so that there is confidence that the police are carrying out their duties that are relevant to the local neighbourhood, however demands for police resources in one small area should not have a detrimental effect on a district or the county as a whole.”

“Local people are the eyes and ears of the area, they are also the victims of crime...often forgot about...when criminals get let off with cautions and fixed penalties”

“Local people need to know what needs to be done- we live here and know the bad uns”

“we need to work together”

“we have many communities here and we all need to say how we want it policed”

“The police should have to justify their failures and seek credit for success. This would hopefully develop a wider understanding of the limits of policing without the successful creation of wider partnership, including the public.”

“Yes as taxes pay for policing”

“Accountability drives results”

“At present we have seen police in our community 4 times in 22 years. Thankfully it is a low crime area however, we are paying for a service we do not receive. Policing should be about the safety of the community and providing guidance to the community not penalising them.”

Do you have any comments, let us know your views

Some previous Issue of the Month responses

Responses to "Neighbourhood Policing means working with the public and other agencies to create safer and secure neighbourhoods where police and partners understand the issues that matter to local people and are able to tackle them together.

Do you have any comments on Neighbourhood Policing and your neighbourhood policing team?"

"Although I haven’t been to a PACT meeting, I do know how to contact my neighbourhood policing team should I need to raise a query or concern."

"Although I appreciate why you are doing neighbourhood policing - I would have thought that in today's society of serious crime - time would be better spent to be focussed on criminals not pacifying communities."

Responses to "How should the Police Authority engage with the public, are meetings effective or should there be alternative approaches?"

"It will be useful to engage bme groups in the meetings within Rossendale. It may be useful to setup a citizen panel or engage with local mosques, youth centres or BME voluntary groups i.e. Positive Start to help engage with the work of the police."

"I appreciate that you want to talk to residents about policing but why? all public sector bodies have to show that they listen and then provide services that are requested by the public. As a police authority can you do that? Lancashire residents want a good force..that DETERS AND SOLVES CRIME,is that not the core function? You say we are investors -that we can have a say but you can only do so much with what we tell you. Many of the problems that the police have stem not from hardened criminals but from local residents who we all live next door to. Anti social behaviour,a lack of respect, poor education, rich and poor income divide impact on the police. i suspect that most of the problems relate to these areas. If you really want to engage with residents then start with the government. Talk to residents about what makes a safe community? i suspect that good housing, education, play areas, youth facitites and respect will pop up. Then as a police authority say to the government more investment in these areas results in less impact on the police. I don't expect utopia but a force equipped to solve crime rather than society ills will make a massive difference. Government policies, funds and action will work- engagement on its own will not."

Responses to "What is more important to you - A highly visible police presence in your area or a speedy response by the police when you need them?"

"Having a visible police force and a fast responding police force should not be mutually exclusive. Surely it is better to prevent crime and for this we need a visible police force. Of course should crime occur, we also need a fast responding to crime."

"I want to know that when I dial 999 the police will be available not sitting in a meeting in the community centre."

"I think we need to see the police in our neighbourhoods, it helps to deter criminals."

"Instead of telling us how good the police are re NewsBeat how about showing us how good they are by just attending when somebody asks for their assistance."

"I think there is an obvious lack of police presence on the streets either on foot or using panda cars. Of course people require a quick response from the police when needed, but surely these two points should work hand in hand to a degree. ie more police presence resulting in less crime therefore less calls to the police."

"I would prefer a higher police presence in my area but would accept they might be called elsewhere if needed ."

"More Police on the Street ."