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Reducing crime and improving health in NW Kilmarnock using community assets

Performance Indicators

A key aspect of the delivery of local policing is public reassurance and a commitment to tackle the issues of most concern to the community. The police were encouraged to attend Listening Events and other community group meetings. This didn’t mean that the strong emphasis on enforcement came to a stop. Instead, it was being done with the consent and co-operation of local communities. As a result, police activity increased in the form of patrols, stop/searches and offender management.

Consequently, public consultation surveys in North West Kilmarnock indicated some of the highest rates of public confidence and satisfaction in local police when compared to other areas in Strathclyde. Comparisons made with the previous year’s rates showed the following results:

Public Consultation Survey Results in 2012:

  • Good place to live +25%
  • Feel safer +28%
  • Police listen and act on information +25%
  • Satisfied with Police +21%
  • Feel ASB issues are being tackled +19%

Police activity was also measured to ensure that key priorities were being targeted. This indicated an increase in reported private space violence especially domestic abuse-related cases. Traditionally, this type of violence is difficult to detect as many victims are reluctant to call the police. However, it is clear that the assets-based approach improves familiarity and trust in services – people who have a stake in their community, protect their community.

The University of St Andrews Public Health Department conducted a survey of residents and service providers to gauge perceptions. This report focused on existing levels of social capital and produced evidence that residents with high social capital scores have high health scores, and residents who have low social capital scores have low health scores. This is important, because it suggests that social/community factors are related to health at both a community and an individual level. The analysis therefore suggests that that by improving social capital, it is possible to positively impact on health.

   

About this case study
Main Contact

Tony Bone

Chief Inspector

Strathclyde Police

(now retired)

Email: afbo@me.com

 

 

 

Tony Bone wrote this case study for Governance International on 12 November 2012.

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