Report Summary
This report summarises the key findings of the evaluation of new policing initiatives in Levenmouth as part of the final phase of the SPA and Police Scotland's Community Confidence Action Research Project in Levenmouth.
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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, working with local schools, and working with local organisations (local car clubs, organising small community meetings).
Without taking into account awareness of initiatives, between Feb-Mar 2023 and Nov-Dec 2023 there was an increase in trust, a decrease in confidence, and increases in local police performance in ‘Policing in general’ and ‘Tackling crime’, as well as decreases in ‘Tackling anti-social behaviour’ and ‘Bringing the community closer together’. This mirrors national trends, with a notable decrease in levels of confidence documented in the Authority’s national polling between July 2022 and July 2023.
Regarding sense of community, slight increases were observed with those saying ‘strongly agree/agree’ (up 3 percentage points) and ‘disagree/strongly disagree’ (up 1 percentage point) between Feb-Mar 2023 and November/December 2023. Comments largely centred around anti-social behaviour, and a lack of police resources, along with some mention of police response times, police visibility, and drug dealing.
Comments about police funding and resources, police response times to 101 calls and domestic abuse complaints, drug use, a desire for greater engagement with local community organisations, and positive experiences of local policing drop-in events were also made when respondents were asked on comments on topics raised within the survey.
