CONSULTATION TO IDENTIFY LOCAL POLICING ISSUES
The area of public consultation and awareness raising was seen as a priority by Newtownabbey DPP so that, on one hand, the community and their representatives had an understanding of its role and function and, on the other, the members of the DPP could obtain the views of the community and so establish the issues of greatest concern in relation to Policing within the Borough.
In order to address these issues, Newtownabbey DPP conducted three formal phases of consultation with the public.
Phase One
In June 2003, the Northern Ireland Policing Board (NIPB) and the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) conducted a postal survey on behalf of Newtownabbey DPP.
The occupiers of one in ten homes in the Borough were asked to complete a questionnaire containing a range of questions aimed at establishing:
- what they considered to be the biggest policing problems in their council area
- what activities they considered the police should be concentrating most resources on
- their level of satisfaction with the policing service they received
- their knowledge of District Policing Partnerships
- their level of knowledge of other community and police liaison groups.
Responses were analysed in terms of gender, age and religion. Newtownabbey recorded an impressive return rate of 34% (959 questionnaires returned). This provided important quantitative baseline information as to the current views on, and perceptions of, policing in the Borough together with the level of awareness of the role and function of the DPP.
Phase Two
Using the results of the postal survey the DPP attempted to explore in more detail the views of the local community and to gather qualitative data. In order to do this the DPP planned a series of consultation exercises which were held in a range of venues across the Borough aimed at various interest groups. A wide range of representatives from the PSNI, voluntary, statutory and community groups together with head teachers and the clergy participated in the exercises and engaged with the DPP in:
- identifying and prioritising the problems regarding policing in the Borough,
- the possible solutions to these problems and
- how the wider community might engage in the policing agenda.
Phase Three
In addition to the NISRA survey and consultation exercises, Newtownabbey DPP, with a view to further add objectivity to the consultation process, engaged MORI MRC to conduct a series of focus group meetings in January 2004. These focus groups sought the views of members of the community as follows:
(i) two groups including people aged between 25 – 45 from;
a) the Longlands/Bawnmore area and
b) the Rathcoole area
(ii) two groups which included young people in the 15 – 18 year category from the Glengormley area,
a) one from the catholic community and
b) one from the protestant community.
The results of the focus groups helped reinforce the issues of most concern as identified in the previous two phases having regard to specific areas and age groups.
In addition to these formal consultative exercises members of the DPP have met with community groups and individuals across the Borough to listen to their views and concerns on the policing of the Borough.
Members of the DPP also participate in the four Community and Policing Fora in the Borough. Additionally the DPP is represented on the local Senior Citizens Forum and Community Safety Partnership.
The DPP Manager presented an overview of the background, role and function of the DPP to a variety of Community Groups, Tenants Associations and Statutory Agencies, responded to questions and received details of concerns and opinion on policing in the Borough.
The bi-monthly meetings in public have also provided much valuable information and feedback to the DPP concerning the nature of policing problems and quality of police response in the Borough.
Taken together these consultation exercises have provided valuable information in identifying local policing issues of most concern and helped substantially in working with the District Commander to, not only establish the policing priorities, aims and objectives for 2004 – 2005, but also in assisting the Police Commander to refocus the distribution and deployment of his resources to tackle issues highlighted through a proactive approach.