Policing Priorities Identified
Household Survey
In June 2003 the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) was commissioned to carry out a survey on behalf of the Northern Ireland Policing Board and District Policing Partnershiops (DPPs). This postal survey involved questionnaires being sent to just over 60,000 households across Northern Ireland selected at random from the Valuation and Lands Agency list of addresses.
The survey findings have assisted Armagh DPP to identify local policing priorities contained in the Local Policing Plan for the area.
One in 10 homes in the Armagh City and District Council area received the survey in June 2003. The survey contained core questions asked by the Policing Board and a variety of questions on local policing issues submitted by Armagh DPP. Randomly sent to households in the District, just under a quarter (23%) were completed and returned.
Asked to select the 5 most important policing issues in their area and prioritise them, the Survey found that in Armagh the following were issues of main concern:
- Domestic burglary (65%)
- Underage drinking (51%)
- Speeding (48%)
- Attacks on the elderly (47%)
- Young people causing a nuisance (37%)
Focus Group Consultation
Following on from the postal survey Armagh DPP carried out some focus group work with local people to further investigate the policing matters which were important to them. Six focus groups were conducted in Armagh which incorporated rural and urban areas and varying age groups. Some of the groups were of mixed religion and some were split into Roman Catholic and Protestant Groups.
The Priorities identified from this secondary consultation were:
- Underage drinking and anti-social behaviour
- Drugs
- paramilitary activity and organised crime
- Sectarian tension
- Domestic burglary
- Attacks on the elderly
The priorities identified by Armagh DPP have been used to inform the District Commander when compiling the District Policing Plan 2004-2005. The plan contains ten targets each of which was identified in consultationwith Armagh DPP and full regard was taken of the results of the consultation carried out by the DPP.+