|
|
|
| Press Releases |
| Police Minister Visits Bradford |
|
|
|
Thursday, 1 April, 2010
During a visit to Bradford today David Hanson MP has heard about the work West Yorkshire Police Authority is doing to improve public confidence.
Since the end of 2009, the Authority has been involved in ‘Face The People’ events which have been held in both Bradford and Leeds where members of the public can come and ask questions of local agencies about matters which affect them.
The meetings, in conjunction with the Local Criminal Justice Board, Safer Leeds and Safer Communities in Bradford, have so far allowed the Authority to gather feedback about public confidence, crime and anti-social behaviour, and the response of the Police and Council to such reports. They have also informed people about the work of the partners to tackle the district’s priorities.
The Minister of State with responsibility for Crime and Policing was also given a demonstration of the award-winning crime mapping website Beatcrime.info following its make-over in November 2009.
Originally launched in February 2005, it was one of the first sites of this kind – but the only one to put dots on maps showing where crime occurred.
Prior to launch the Authority conducted research with potential users, who helped refine the site, as well as giving an indication of its usefulness.
Around 4,500 customers visit the site each month and many have provided positive feedback.
Following the revamp, the website now provides more detailed maps for all wards – down to street level. It includes dots on the map for the first time for burglary, provides a direct link to/from the relevant page on the Force’s Neighbourhood Policing website – so there is no need for people to enter their post code twice and it provides statistics for all crimes that occur in a local area – not just the ones shown on the map.
Cllr Mark Burns Williamson, Chair of the West Yorkshire Police Authority said: “It is important that the Authority plays an active role in seeking public opinion on Policing in their communities.
“One of the many methods we use to engage with the public in West Yorkshire is public meetings, where the Authority seeks feedback on policing priorities, the budget and hot topics such as Neighbourhood Policing, Call handling and Prevent issues.
“It’s been interesting for Senior Officers from the various agencies to hear the views of those in attendance. The questions are more strategic than would be tackled at local Police meetings, so the feedback has been useful at informing divisional plans as well as those of our partners.
“The feedback is still being summarised, but early results show the sessions to have been felt to be worthwhile. Confidence in the various agencies in every case has been higher at the end of the events than it was at the beginning.
“We are also seeing more and more positive feedback about the Beatcrime website such as, 'it’s good to see the Force being open about its statistics.’ ‘I really use this site as a barometer for where I live.’ and ‘It’s better to be aware of the amount of crime where you live, then at least you can do something about it and you know what to look out for’
“We firmly believe that this method of crime mapping is providing the level of detail that the public of West Yorkshire wants and keeps Beatcrime at the forefront of crime mapping in the UK.”
David Hanson MP said: "Neighbourhood policing teams like the one I met in Bradford today have transformed the way the police service works with the community to tackle the local crime and antisocial behaviour issues that matter most.
"Prevent is part and parcel of this work and Bradford is a shining example of local partners working together to not only tackle crime, but to support those who may be vulnerable to it by being drawn into violent extremism.
“It is vital that all local services work together to make our neighbourhoods safer and more confident. The groups I have met today seem determined to take on this challenge together and I look forward to hearing more about the progress they make in the future.”
David Hanson also met with the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police Sir Norman Bettison and was shown the work that Prevent projects are undertaking in Bradford. |
|
|
|
