Confidence in Policing

In terms of confidence in policing in the area, the majority of respondents had ‘high’ levels of confidence for policing ‘in general’ (39%, n=8).

Following this, the largest proportion of responses to ‘tackling antisocial behaviour’ were equally split across ‘Medium’ and Low’ confidence levels (both receiving 48%, n=11). Across a range of five indicators a higher proportion of respondents scored ‘Low’:

• Responding quickly(48%, n=11)
• Tackling crime (48%, n=11)
• Preventing crime (48%, n=11)
• Being there when you need them (48%, n=11)
• Providing an appropriate and timely response (57%, n=13)

When comparing the recent Oct-Nov 2023 survey results to Feb-Mar 2023 survey, the majority of respondents had ‘high’ levels of confidence for policing ‘in general’ (39%, n=8) which is an shift upward from the Feb-Mar 2023 results for confidence in policing ‘in general’ where the majority of respondents reported
‘medium’ levels of confidence (40%, n=20).

The majority of respondents scored ‘Medium’ confidence levels across 6 of the indicators in Spring (Preventing crime, keeping your area safe, being there when you need them, tackling crime, general, and responding quickly). For five of these indicators the highest proportion of responses shifted from ‘Medium’
confidence levels seen in Feb-March 2023, to ‘Low’ in Oct-Nov 2023: ‘responding quickly’, ‘tackling crime’, ‘preventing crime’, ‘being there when you need them’ and ‘providing a timely response’. A similar downward trend in feelings of confidence in policing has been documented in the SPA national polling between July 2022 and 2023.

Confidence levels across the indicators broken down by whether individuals were aware of at least one initiative rolled out as part of the Test of Change, or if they had no awareness. Awareness of initiatives seemed to have no impact on confidence levels of survey respondents in Irvine Fullarton.