Police Reform

Consultation
Results
September 2010

Compiled by South Wales Police Authority

CONTENTS

Page
Number
Executive Summary 2
Introduction 3
Results 4
Comments 9
Conclusion 12
Appendices:
A - Survey 13
B - Demographics 16
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
” A survey was carried out jointly by the four Police Authorities in Wales, following
the publication of the Home Office consultation document Policing in the 21st
Century: Reconnecting police and the people

” A total of 884 people responded to the survey, with 3.1% of respondents being
from a black or minority ethnic background.

” Key findings were:

o 44% of respondents (the majority) felt that the introduction of a Police and
Crime Commissioner (PCC) would not increase accountability in the police
service;

o 46% (the majority) felt the introduction of a PCC would not lead to a better
police service;

o 33% knew who their local Police Authority Member was, 75% knew their
Chief Constable, 59% knew their local ward Councillor, 53% knew their
local Assembly Member, 68% knew their local Member of Parliament and
23% knew their local Member of European Parliament;

o 97% either agreed or strongly agreed that they had heard of Police
Authorities;

o 82% either agreed or strongly agreed that they knew what a Police
Authority does;

o 78% either agreed or strongly agreed that they knew the responsibilities of
a Police Authority;

o Overall, the majority (41%) were not in favour of the introduction of a PCC.
29% were in favour, with a further 16% somewhat in favour.

” In total, 350 additional comments were left by respondents. 56% of these related
to comments opposing the proposals, with 22% in favour.

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INTRODUCTION
On 26 July 2010 the Home Secretary published the ‘‘Policing in the 21st Century:
Reconnecting police and the people’’ consultation document. This set out various
proposals for the future of the police service in England and Wales, including the
abolition of Police Authorities and the introduction of directly elected Police and Crime
Commissioners. The closing date for responses to this document was 20 September
2010.

In order to assist in the response put forward by the Police Authorities of Wales (PAW),
a survey was published asking for public opinions on the changes, and the current level
of knowledge and understanding of the Police Authority.

The results contained within this report relate to the overall findings for Wales.

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SURVEY AND RESULTS
The aims of the survey were as follows:
x Ask for public opinion on the proposed changes;
x Identify the current level of knowledge about the Police Authority.

The survey has been included at Appendix A.

In total, 884 people took part in the survey. This is an excellent level of response when
considering it was only available for four weeks.

The numbers of people who took part per Police Authority area are as follows. An
additional 16 were ‘‘Not Stated’’:
Dyfed Powys 15
Gwent 156
North Wales 82
South Wales 615

A full breakdown of respondents per local authority area is provided at Appendix B,

which also contains the results of each of the monitoring questions. This shows that the
majority of the respondents, 24%, were in the 35-44 age bracket. However, with the
exception of people aged under 25 and 75 and over, the age range of respondents was
fair. Pleasingly, 3.1% of the respondents were from a minority ethnic background.

Below is an analysis of the results for each of the questions posed within the survey.
Any trends and variations identified will be provided as part of this.

1. Do you vote in elections?

73%
The results show nearly three
quarters of respondents vote in
elections every time, while only
2% said they never vote.

Of those who responded they

vote every time, 21% said they
would not vote for a Police and
Crime Commissioner (question
2). 1% 16%
2%
2% 6%
Respondents from older age Yes, every time Yes, most of the time Sometimes
groups were more likely to vote Rarely Never No response
every time, according to the
survey findings. The responses show that 94% of those in the 75 and over age bracket
vote every time, with 89% of the 65-74 age group. Conversely, 59% of the 16-25 age
group state they vote every time, and 61% of the 25 to 34 age group.

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2. Would you vote for a Police and Crime Commissioner?
The results are relatively 8%
21%
evenly split between the
choices for this question.
Around a quarter of
respondents say they would
not vote for a Police and
Crime Commissioner (PCC).
Nearly half, 44%, responded 36%
that they would either 24%
definitely vote for a
Commissioner, or if it was part
1% 10%
of other elections.
Yes, definitely Yes, part of other elections
Of those 24% of respondents Possibly No
who stated they would not Undecided Don't care/don't vote
vote for a PCC, 93%
responded that the introduction of a PCC would not lead to an increase in accountability,
and 96% felt it would not lead to a better police service.

Whereas, of the 36% who responded that they would definitely vote for a PCC, 71% felt
their introduction would increase the accountability in the police and 58% thought a PCC
would lead to a better police service.

In total, 54% of respondents aged 75 or above stated they would definitely vote for a
PCC, which is double the 24% within the 16-25 age group and the 27% of the 25-34 age
group.

3. Do you think that the introduction of a directly elected Police and

Crime Commissioner will increase accountability in the police and a
better police service?
46%
44%
36%

27% 27%

20%

Yes No Don't know

Increase accountability Better police service

The results above show a comparison of the results from two questions.

The results show that 44% of respondents felt that the introduction of a PCC would not
increase accountability in the police, compared to 36% who felt it would.
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Of those who said that a PCC would increase accountability, 73% said the introduction
would lead to a better police service. A further 21% answered they did not know.

In addition, of those who said that a PCC would not increase accountability, 49% knew
who their Police Authority Member was, which is significantly higher than the 33%
overall figure for this question (question 4).

Those who stated that a PCC would not increase accountability in the police were more
likely to have a better understanding of the role of the current Police Authority –– a total of
88% understood the Police Authority responsibilities, compared to 74% of respondents
who stated a PCC would increase accountability.

The second part of the question relates to the number of respondents who feel the
introduction of a PCC will lead to a better police service. The majority –– 46% - feel the
proposal will not lead to a better service, with 27% of respondents thinking it would.

Of those respondents from a black or minority ethnic background, the majority –– 78% -
felt a PCC would not lead to a better police service.

There was a division of opinion for this question in terms of age. Younger age groups
felt the introduction would not lead to a better police service (83% of 16-24 year olds,
78% of 25-34 year olds, 77% of 35-44 year olds). However, older age groups felt the
introduction would improve the police service (61% of 65-74 year olds, 70% of 75 or
above year olds).

4. Knowledge of Representatives
Respondents were asked to indicate their current level of knowledge for a number of
representatives. This question was used as a way of determining whether elections do
make a difference in recognising local representatives.

Possibly Don’’t Don’’t

Know
know know care
Police Authority Member 33% 14% 49% 4%
Chief Constable 75% 10% 14% 1%

Local Councillor for your ward 59% 15% 23% 3%

Leader of the Local Council 53% 15% 29% 3%
Local Assembly Member 53% 14% 30% 3%

Local Member of Parliament 68% 12% 18% 2%

Local Member of European Parliament 23% 15% 55% 7%

Prime Minister 96% 2% 1.5% 0.5%

Home Secretary 83% 10% 6% 1%

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The results show the local representative least likely to be known is the local Member of
the European Parliament (MEP), with just 23%. The most likely to be known is the
Prime Minister, with 96%, followed by the Home Secretary, 83%, and the local Chief
Constable, with 75%.

Of those who knew who their local Police Authority Member is, the majority –– 62% -
were not in favour of a directly elected PCC.

5. Knowledge of the Police Authority

One of the stated reasons the Home Office has put forward the proposals to abolish
Police Authorities is due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of the current bodies.
Questions were asked to ascertain the current level within the public. The results were
as follows:

To what extent do you agree with the following statements:

I have heard of Police Authorities

A total of 97% of
73%
respondents either
agreed or strongly
agreed that they had
heard of Police
Authorities.

Of those who
agreed with this
statement, the
0.8%
majority - 97% - felt
24% that the introduction
0.5%
0.9% 0.8% of a PCC would not
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’’t know increase
accountability in the
police, with 96% responding that it would not lead to a better police service.

I understand what a Police Authority does

The majority of
42% 40% respondents - 82% -
either agreed or
strongly agreed that
they knew what a
Police Authority
does.

4% 2% 5% 7%

Strongly Agree Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’’t know

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I understand the responsibilities of a Police Authority

Again, the majority of

39% respondents –– 78% -
39% either agreed or strongly
agreed they understood
the responsibilities of a
Police Authority.

Of those who agreed with

9%
4% 2% 7% this statement, the
majority (47%) were not
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’’t know
in favour of a directly
elected PCC.

I know where to find out information on the Police Authority

The majority –– 76% -

36%
40%
agreed they knew
where to find out
information on the
Police Authority,
compared to only 9%
who did not know.
8%
7% 2% 7%
Strongly Agree Agree Neither Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’’t know

6. Overall, are you in favour of a directly elected Police and Crime

Commissioner?

16%
41%

29%

13%
1%

Yes Somewhat No Don't know Don't care

The results show the majority of respondents –– 41% - were not in favour of a directly
elected PCC, compared to 29% who were in favour.

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 COMMENTS
Respondents were provided with an opportunity to leave their own comments on the
proposals. In total, 350 comments were left. Overall, 76 comments were in favour of
the Home Office proposals, with 196 comments opposing them. An additional 78
comments raised questions or general policing comments.

Each of these were categorised and analysed as follows:

Comments in Favour

Other 13

Will help local policing 17

Democratic 6

Direct public involvement 7

Current system not effective 17

Better Accountability 16

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18

Comments Opposing

Proposals will not be effective 32

Possibility of corruption 5

Bureaucracy 10

Happy with current structure 26

Politicisation of police 58

Unnecessary change 30

Cost/Funding 25

Other 10

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Examples of some of the comments are provided over the following pages.

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 I certainly agree with a new system
and police reform. My "fear" is as
usual it will become a panel drawn
from too many councillors and
"jobs for the boys"
I welcome the idea of more
direct involvement with the
people and their
communities and allowing
people more of a say in
how things are run and
setting priorities and
bringing people to account
for the job they do.
My only concern is
how do we reform
the system if these
changes prove
ineffectual?
I believe PCC have the
potential to increase
accountability. I think there is
currently a deficit in public
accountability of the Police at
a senior level.
One person
having too much
power
There is already too
much interference
from politicians.
Depends if the cost of
Policing is a simple
funding a PCC would
thing, if it’’s left alone
deflect funds from front
line policing. Might then
be a case of too many
chiefs.
If it ain't
broke, don't
fix it!
An elected police and crime
commissioner would not help policing.
What is required is a justice system that
works when criminals and criminal
activity is dealt with "proper" sentencing Why change what
- not slaps on the wrist, community works. It would
service (what a laugh) and the like. be a waste of time
and money to
change over
Do not turn Briton into the USA even
further. You do not have to be a genius to
realise that an elected police and crime
commissioner would be politicising this It is time to bring
vitally "independent of politics" post. the Police force
under democratic
control.
The Police Service is inefficient and
This is an incredibly archaic in its structure and the way
responsible and important job it does business. I would
that carries with it a lot of recommend persons with a proven
power, and from the proposed track record in private business are
job description, candidates introduced into key roles typically
need a variety of occupied by senior rank police
communications, financial and officers who have little or no grasp
business skills - are these of how to run a multi million pound
skills likely to be found in an organisation. The police needs to
elected candidate??? be brought up to date.

Government proposals appear

to be feasible on paper but
with proposed cuts in the
budgets is it going to work in
practice?
An appalling proposition
which would not make a
chief constable any
more accountable
I firmly believe that the present
system is extremely effective
and oversees very well the
activities of the police service.

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 There is a real risk that introducing an
elected Commissioner whilst giving an
impression of democratic accountability
will instead stew policing priorities and
performance leading to short term populist
initiatives which will grab headlines and
achieve little.
PCC's will determine police
priorities on the basis of getting
more votes and policing activities
will change dependant on the
electoral cycle.

The present system

appears cumbersome and
remote. In my view, a
directly elected police The Home Secretary has yet to
commissioner would make provide any evidence of why
it easier to communicate there would be an improvement
and comment on local The proposed change is in the delivery of Policing as a
community issues. It is in my opinion a political result of these ill conceived
essential the person nonsense. Increase the proposals.
elected be completely police budget and put
independent, and has a more police on the
deep knowledge of the street.
working and difficulties
I am not convinced there is
experienced by a police any public appetite for
authority.
greater accountability. The
overwhelming desire is for
It’’s change for change's sake, improved service. The
an opportunity for someone to reduction of unnecessary
show they’’ve had a clever bureaucracy is critical to
idea. Its not clever- no one achieving this and the last
person should have this power, thing we need right now is
the Tsars of Russia did, and more politicians.
An exciting move look how it ended for them!
forward by the
government. It is
about time the
police were more
accountable to the
public. There is a perfectly
good system of
accountability at
The worry is that an elected
present.
Police Commissioner would
be a glorified MP and will only
have the Governments best
interests at heart and not
This will involve added expense from
those of the Police Service.
public funds to hold elections - there is
already far too much wasted on elections

Think a single commissioner will lead to significant

I approve of this appointment, as cost savings and clearer accountability and they will
long as this new system does not be more likely to take poor performing forces and
exceed the cost of running the Chief Constables to task. In addition, I feel that
present authority. Chief Constables should also be elected.

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CONCLUSION
The number of respondents for this survey, at 884, is pleasing. This is particularly the
case as the survey was only available for completion for a four-week period.

The results suggest that overall, the public tend not to be in favour of the introduction of
a Police and Crime Commissioner, as proposed by the Home Office. There appears to
be a trend within the results, that the greater the current level of knowledge and
understanding of the Police Authority, the less likely to approve of the proposed
changes.

In relation to the original aim of the survey to establish the level of knowledge in the
Police Authority, the results were particularly pleasing, with 97% of respondents stating
they had heard of Police Authorities.

The full results will be submitted as part of the response to the Home Office in relation to
the ‘‘Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting police and the people’’ consultation
document.

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 APPENDIX A
Survey

(This is the South Wales version.)

13
14
15
 APPENDIX B
Demographics of those who took part
In which area do you live?

Blaenau Gwent 9 Bridgend 95

Caerphilly 39 Cardiff 140
Carmarthenshire 11 Ceredigion 0
Conwy 24 Denbighshire 17
Flintshire 12 Gwynedd 11
Isle of Anglesey 7 Merthyr Tydfil 63
Monmouthshire 24 Neath Port Talbot 57
Newport 43 Pembrokeshire 0
Powys 4 Rhondda Cynon Taf 102
Swansea 91 Torfaen 41
Vale of Glamorgan 67 Wrexham 11
Not Stated 16

What is your gender?

614

82
308
Male Female Not Stated

Which of the following best describes your ethnic group?

16
 819

11
38
1 10
5

White Asian or Asian British Black or Black British Mixed Chinese Not Stated

What age group are you in?

194

140

212

129

108 65
17 18
1

Under 16 16 - 24 25 - 34 35 - 44 45 - 54
55 - 64 65 - 74 75 or above Not Stated

Do you consider yourself to be disabled?

721

134
29
Yes No Not Stated

17