West Midlands Police have spent more than £1 million of taxpayers’ cash on a survey asking residents what they think about crime in their area, the Express & Star can reveal today.
The Feeling The Difference Survey has quizzed almost 90,000 people on issues such as “the extent to which residents agree that their neighbourhood is a place where people from different backgrounds and communities can live harmoniously together”.
The survey was launched in 2004/05 and was initially funded by the Government and West Midlands Police.
But every year since, the cost - an average of around £250,000 - has been borne by the force.
The total cost, revealed after a Freedom of Information Act request by the Express & Star, now stands at £1,376,109.
Today John Mellor, a former Wolverhampton superintendent, said he could see “absolutely no reason” why the survey had to be repeated year on year. He suggested the force should wait five years between surveys so that they had time to act on their results.
Mr Mellor said: “This is another PR exercise. The way we judge the police is by the number of criminals arrested and how many of them are sent to prison. We need a survey for that. If the police are doing their job the public know it.”
West Midlands Police said the cost of carrying out Feeling The Difference surveys over the last five years was less than 0.06 per cent of its budget over the same period. Derek Hoey, senior research officer with performance review, said: “West Midlands Police believe this is a small price to pay to seek the views of the communities we serve - views which in turn help us shape policing and allow us to concentrate on those issues which cause the most concern.
“Community engagement is a major part of neighbourhood policing. Our approach has helped contribute to the falls in crime we have seen year on year across the West Midlands. Crime is currently at its lowest for 18 years.”
Read more in the Express & Star
9 Comments
It may be “only” 0.06 % of the overall budget but that says two things to me;
a) the budget is way too big
b) how many peoples council tax does that represent?
Most private companies engender the “would you spend it if it were your money?” mindset. These public bodies would do well to follow the same mantra. if they did, I think the answer would be a resounding No!
What a waste of money! This and ‘The Public’ both ranking highly on the E&S site today as unneccessary projects, both at massive cost.
Amazing isn’t it how well people can spend OPM (other people’s money). I wonder how keen WMP would be on this survey if the funding was taken directly from their wages.
Still keen?
Precisely the sort of wasteful rubbish that occurs after 11 years of a fat, wasteful Labour govt. Note - ‘initially funded by govt’
nothihg surprises me anymore
i know lets have a survey on if you believe the drop in crime figures
total waste AGAIN of taxpayers money were are the police when mindless scum walk passed our cars parked in the street and damage our side mirrors,i’ll tell ya sitting in the petrol stations drinking coffee,it’s time broken britain got a kick up the backside before it’s total anarchy.
Why don’t they take a survey on what we think of Policing in the area, and do we have enough Muslims on the Force. Or we could take a survey on what people think about taking surveys.
If they did their job, crime wouldn’t be a worry to Joe Public. Unfortunately, with the idiots running the police we have police who 30 years ago would never have got into the service.
I can not understand what all the fuss is about they will just put a bit more film in speed cameras and soon recoup the money
The police do their job.
They catch the criminals..and
1.The person who had the crime committed to doesnt have the guts to prosecute and stand their ground and go to court for fear of reprisals.
2.When they get to court,probation officers and welfare and social workers who have no idea what their doing stand up,begging the jury to be compassionate,he has a troubled life.etc etc.
3.Speed camera money is not collected by the police.Its the councils.
4.The police entrance exam Karen is not easy.
Sadly the recruits applying dont have the education depth they did 15 years ago.The youngsters applying all have attitude problems and chips on their shoulders thinking society owes them something.Making them arrogant and rude police officers sadly.
No one believes crime has gone down because they see it every day,evidence is there,papers,tv.
Our Police force do the best they can with whats given to them.If they were allowed to thrash and slap the scutters who cause problems in our streets like the old fashion copper would give you a slap around the head,drag you off home i would bet the parents would be screaming about assault charges.So you cant please anyone!!
But their still unarmed,being spat on,kicked ,verbally abused,punched,food hurled at every weekend.You moan about them but i bet if you were a victim of crime you would soon be asking for their help!