4,500 respond to survey on Warwickshire safety priorities

4,500 people in Warwickshire have responded to surveys about what police and local partners should have as their priorities to improve safety and the community's feelings of safety.

The force, along with the Police and Crime Commissioner and Warwickshire County Council have held online and phone surveys in recent months.

The results have now been revealed with common themes:

• Respondents' feelings about safety in local neighbourhoods varied, influenced by location like open spaces and time of day such as during the hours of darkness

• Respondents felt there should be better police visibility, which would boost local community safety confidence

• Respondents felt that there was a need to better tackle antisocial behaviour (ASB) and local concerns, feeling that ASB had increased over the past year

• Some respondents wanted better communication from the police about activity in their local area, believing it would build trust and confidence

• Many respondents had taken steps to increase their security and felt more could be done to help and encourage residents to protect themselves and their belongings

‘A Safer Warwickshire for All’ report's been drawn up to 'bring a revitalised focus' for police and partners over the next four years to ensure concerns are listened to, while also supporting Warwickshire Police to deliver an effective service.

The plan aims to:

• Strengthen Policing – by increasing effectiveness, boosting neighbourhood policing and ensuring high standards of conduct and service

• Safeguard People – by reducing violent crime, tackling abuse and exploitation, and working to halve serious road injuries and deaths by 2030

• Protect Communities – by combating organised crime, reducing theft and burglary, addressing rural crime and tackling anti-social behaviour

Warwickshire has the 8th lowest crime rate in England and Wales, according to latest stats - that's well below the national average.

Police say that shows the area is a safe place to live, work and study.

Work is ongoing to reduce ASB in the county - with a recent 16% reduction in incidents in Warwickshire as a whole, compared to three-year average crime data.

There's been a 38% reduction in Rugby, a 58% reduction in Atherstone and a 40% reduction in Leamington Spa.

Hotspots for crimes as also seeing enhanced activity including targeted police patrols, upgraded CCTV with more cameras, new lighting and other interventions.

A campaign is due to be launched this year, with the aim of helping us to protect ourselves and our belongings.

That'll focus on key concerns like theft, cyber-crime, and substance misuse, and how to get help if you’re impacted by these issues.

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