Chance for direct say on policing

People in Staffordshire are getting a direct say in how their neighbourhoods are policed. Already 24,000 members of the public have contributed to the Staffordshire Police Citizen Contact Records scheme, rolled out across the area last year.

The initiative involves neighbourhood officers and PCSOs conducting brief street surveys on the beat to get people's views on local policing and quality of life issues. Analysis of the data collected helps to ensure that officers are tackling the issues that trouble communities the most.

CCR interviewees are also asked to rate how well the police understand local community issues and local officers' effectiveness in dealing with anti-social behaviour and crime.

Anthony Small, the force's consultation co-ordinator, said: "We know people want our officers to be visible and approachable. The Citizen Contact Records scheme involves many of our frontline staff approaching and interacting with members of the public to understand the issues that matter to them.

"By taking just a couple of minutes to capture the answers on a simple, pocket-sized form, we can build up a very useful picture of people's concerns. It's exactly what neighbourhood policing is all about – listening to what's bothering people, then addressing the priorities where they live."

CCRs are among several community consultation and engagement measures used by the force to capture the views of people who might not otherwise have contact with the police.

"Our strategies to tackle crime have led to significant and sustained reductions across Staffordshire. Many CCR interviewees tell us they have no issues of local concern, while nuisance and antisocial behaviour top others' lists," added Mr Small. This year the force is set to refine and further develop its CCR scheme, and improve how results are fed back to communities.