You are hereHantsweb HomeHampshire Police Authorityyour authority in actionvaluing our police a public consultation

Hampshire Police Authority

Hampshire Police Authority Public Consultation "Valuing Our Police”

On Saturday 22nd January 2011 the Police Authority held its ‘Valuing Our Police’ public consultation event, at  Hampshire Constabulary Support and Training Headquarters, Netley, Southampton. The event was independently facilitated by Andrew Smith Research, with workshops held on  to find out the publics’ views on both the council tax precept and local policing priorities.

Andrew Smith Research not only recruited 103 attendees from a full cross-section of the general public of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight but also ensured that all attendees reflected the broad demographic mix of the two counties.

Prior to the workshops attendees were given presentations from the Police Authority Treasurer on the policing budget for 2011-12; then a presentation on Hampshire Constabulary’s Transformational Change Programme and a presentation on how this will affect the Public Interface of the constabulary.

The attendees spilt into 8 groups for the first workshop to discuss how the public would like to communicate with the constabulary in the future, each of these groups was independently facilitated by moderators.

During the afternoon session, the attendees were given presentations by PCSO Dan Selby on Safer Neighbourhood Policing and Temporary Detective Superintendent Richard Pearson on Serious Organised Crime. The attendees remained in the same 8 groups for the second workshop, and discussed their Policing Priorities.

At the end of the ‘Valuing our Police’ event Andrew Smith gave some initial feedback from the moderators which indicated that those who attended thought the Constabulary provided good value for money through their achievements and with the budget provided, and that the changes required due to the reduction in the government grants must be communicated properly to the public, especially with regard to the possible relocation of police stations.

A full copy of the report can be viewed below

Report of main findings

The main concerns from the focus groups were:

  • Being tougher on alcohol and drug abuse

  • Dealing with Anti-Social Behaviour in general

  • Being more visible and increasing engagement with troubled areas / certain target groups

  • Encouraging more community interaction/help

  • Harnessing technology to do a better job, more quickly and better

  • Reduce break-ins and burglary

  • Reduce car crime and theft