Report Summary
This report summarises the key findings of the evaluation of new policing initiatives in Letham as part of the final phase of the SPA and Police Scotland's Community Confidence Action Research Project in Letham.
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Conclusions and Key Findings
While the majority of respondents were unaware of the initiatives put in place by local policing, it is clear that those who were aware had high levels of confidence and trust in policing and felt local police were doing a very good/somewhat good job. While it is not possible to ascertain if there is a direct link between awareness of initiatives and higher confidence/trust due to small sample sizes, the low levels of confidence/trust and views of poor performance noted by those who were not aware suggests there could be a connection. To raise awareness of initiatives in future, respondents’ suggestions included physical media, social media and working with local organisations.
Without taking into account awareness of initiatives, there was a decrease in confidence, trust and local police performance between the Sept-Nov 2022 and July/August 2023 surveys. However, this mirrors national trends, with a notable decrease in levels of confidence and trust documented in the Authority’s national polling between July 2022 and July 2023.
Regarding sense of community, similar decreases were observed with those saying ‘strongly agree/agree’ falling by about 10 percentage points between Sept-Nov 2022 and July/August 2023. Comments largely centred around anti-social behaviour, crime and drug dealing along with some mention of fears of safety and police visibility.
Comments about police visibility/engagement, anti-social behaviour, substance use, parking and speeding were also made when respondents were asked on comments on topics raised within the survey.
