Police Precept Consultation
2020-2021
Public Survey Results
January 2020
Report Author: Sarah Mahon (Engagement and Assurance Officer)
Analysis: Christina Phillips (Principal Analyst)
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Contents
1. Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………3
2. Methodology…………………………………………………………………………………………….3
3. Analysis…………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
4. Summary of key findings…………………………………………………………………………..5
5. Findings of the survey……………………………………………………………………………….6
6. Police precept awareness………………………………………………………………………….6
7. Police precept contributions……………………………………………………………………..7
8. Policing priorities………………………………………………………………………………………9
9. Feedback on the service provided by South Wales Police………………………….10
10. Role of the Police and Crime Commissioner………………………………………………12
11. Social Media……………………………………………………………………………………………..13
12. Verbal feedback………………………………………………………………………………………..14
13. Demographics…………………………………………………………………………………………..14
14. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………………..16
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1. Introduction
The Police and Crime Commissioner has a responsibility under the Police Reform and Social
Responsibility Act to obtain the views of the public on matters relating to policing. This includes
consulting with residents in advance of setting the police precept level and allocating the police
budget.
To ensure the communities of South Wales were provided with an opportunity to share their
views on their policing priorities, including how much extra they would be willing to contribute
towards policing as part of their council tax for 2020/21, the Commissioner launched a public
consultation survey in Autumn 2019.
2. Methodology
The consultation commenced on Monday 4th November 2019 and ran for a five-week period,
closing on Monday 9th December. To coincide with the survey we developed a police precept
‘what you need to know’ leaflet outlining key information about the police precept, in order to
assist residents with making informed and intelligence-led decisions when completing the survey.
Online consultation
To ensure the survey was accessible, it was created digitally using Smart Survey with separate
links for English and Welsh versions. Paper copy versions were also made available in English and
Welsh upon request.
The survey was promoted via a range of online platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
and the Commissioner’s website. The Commissioner’s team also worked closely with South Wales
Police to ensure coverage of the survey extended across their social media accounts, including
community-messaging platforms.
Face-to-face engagement
The survey was initially piloted by members of the Commissioner’s team at a face-to-face
engagement event in Cardiff Bay, as an opportunity to gauge initial feedback about the survey.
During the consultation period, face-to-face engagement events were also held across the South
Wales Police force area. These included:
• Asda Superstore, Cardiff Bay
• Morrison’s Supermarket, Barry
• Tesco Extra, Bridgend
• Tesco, Neath Abbey
• Sainsbury’s, Pontypridd
• Sainsbury’s, Swansea
Easy Read
An easy read version of the survey was also produced and shared with disability organisations to
increase participation from individuals with learning disabilities. It is worth noting that whilst 17
Easy Read surveys were completed via paper copy, a local advocacy service also held discussions
with 31 people about the survey. The outcome of these discussions are summarised in section 11
of report.
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Stakeholder engagement
To increase the reach of the survey, the Commissioner’s team collaborated with a number of
stakeholders such as voluntary councils, business improvement districts, local authorities and
third-sector organisations. Working in partnership to promote the survey enabled the
Commissioner’s team to extend the reach of the survey and increase participation from residents
who may not have engaged with us otherwise.
Purdah
A General Election was announced at the time that the precept consultation was due to be
launched. It was agreed that the precept consultation would be regarded as ‘business as usual’
during purdah and would continue to be launched as planned. The Commissioner’s team took
great care to adhere to the purdah guidance during the consultation period, which meant that
the Commissioner was unable to promote the survey personally and two ‘community walkabouts’
were cancelled.
3. Analysis
Analysis of the survey results were undertaken by the Commissioner’s Principal Analyst. Where
percentages do not sum to 100% this is either down to rounding or multiple answers. Readers are
requested to note that the data is unweighted. It should also be noted that not every respondent
completed every question. Therefore, the results are based on the number of respondents to
individual questions.
The results have been analysed at a South Wales level and where relevant, results have been
broken down to local authority level.
Following this introduction, the report contains:
A summary of the key findings of the survey
More detailed commentary of the main findings
Demographic profile of the respondents
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4. Findings of the survey
There were 1073 responses to the survey from people who were aged 18 or over and living in the
South Wales area. 99.7% of the surveys were completed in English and (0.3%) completed in
Welsh.
The below table provides the breakdown of methods in which respondents completed the survey:
Method of completion
No of respondents
% of respondents
Online 926 86.3%
Face to face 130 12.1%
Easy Read 17 1.6%
Total 1073 100%
The below chart illustrates the percentage of respondents that resided in each local authority
area. Over a third of responses (36.1%) were from the Cardiff area. Merthyr Tydfil had the lowest
number of responses with 25 responses (2.3%).
5. Police Precept Awareness
In order to establish awareness of the police precept in South Wales, residents who paid council
tax were asked if they knew they were contributing towards policing as part of their council tax.
The survey revealed that the vast majority of residents (94.0%) said they were aware that they
contributed towards the police precept. Only 6.0% were not aware.
14.4%
36.1%
2.3%
12.7% 12.9%10.9% 10.7%
0.0%
5.0%
10.0%
15.0%
20.0%
25.0%
30.0%
35.0%
40.0%
Bridgend Cardiff Merthyr Tydfil Neath PortTalbot
RhonddaCynon Taf
Swansea Vale ofGlamorgan
Responses By Local Authority
155
387
25
136 138 117 115
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Almost all residents living in the Vale of Glamorgan (99.1%) were aware that they were
contributing towards policing as part of their council tax.
6. Police Precept Contributions
To inform the Police and Crime Commissioner’s decision on setting the precept level for 2020/21,
residents who paid council tax were asked how much extra they would be willing to pay each
month towards their council tax to support policing in South Wales. Residents were provided with
a summary statement outlining the difference each amount would mean to the service.
Residents who were interested in taking part in the survey, but said that they did not pay council
tax, were still able to take part in the survey to ensure they had the opportunity to share their
feedback with us. All residents who stated that they did not pay council tax, bypassed the
precept contribution section of the survey. Of note, 1,018 residents said that they paid council
tax and responded to this question.
Overall, half of respondents (50%) said they were willing to pay £2 more per month, 14.3% were
willing to pay £1.50 more and 9% were willing to pay £1 more. Just over a quarter of residents
(27.4%) said they were not willing to pay any more per month.
92
.5% 96
.0%
95
.8%
91
.5%
91
.6%
93
.6% 9
9.1
%
86.0%
88.0%
90.0%
92.0%
94.0%
96.0%
98.0%
100.0%
Bridgend Cardiff MerthyrTydfil
Neath PortTalbot
RhonddaCynon Taf
Swansea Vale ofGlamorgan
Were you aware you were contributing towards policing as part of your council tax?
Yes No
(359)
(16)
(136)
(11)
(23)
(1)
(107)
(14) (11)
(120) (102)
(8)
(1)
(109)
No more27%
£1.00 more9%
£1.50 more14%
£2.00 more50%
How much more would you be prepared to pay per month towards your council tax to support policing in
South Wales?
(506)
(145)
(90)
(277)
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There was a higher level of residents in Cardiff and Swansea who were willing to pay £2 or more.
A third of residents in Merthyr Tydfil (33.3%) and over a third of residents in Rhondda Cynon Taf
(36.6%) said they were willing to pay no more towards their council tax to support policing in
South Wales.
The below table illustrates the responses for each local authority area:
For those that said they were willing to pay more per month, reasons given included:
29
.9%
22
.2%
33
.3%
29
.1%
36
.6%
25
.7%
29
.1%
10.2%
8.0%
8.3%11.1%
8.4%
10.1% 7.3%
22.4%
14.2%4.2%
12.8%8.4%
11.0%18.2%
37
.4%
55
.9%
54
.2%
50
.4%
46
.6%
54
.1%
45
.5%
0.0%
10.0%
20.0%
30.0%
40.0%
50.0%
60.0%
70.0%
80.0%
90.0%
100.0%
Bridgend Cardiff Merthyr Tydfil Neath PortTalbot
RhonddaCynon Taf
Swansea Vale ofGlamorgan
How much more would you be prepared to pay per month towards your council tax to support policing in South Wales?
No more £1.00 more £1.50 more £2.00 more
(44)
4
(15)
4
(33)
4
(55)
4
(83)
4
(30)
4
(53)
(209)
(8)
(2) (1)
(13)
(34)
(13)
(15)
(59)
(48)
(11)
(11)
(61)
(28)
(11)
(12)
(59)
(32)
(8)
(20)
(50)
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Those that were not willing to pay any more said:
7. Policing Priorities
The Commissioner is responsible for setting the policing priorities for South Wales Police with an aim to cut crime and maintain an effective and efficient police service. In advance of the Commissioner reviewing his priorities for 2020/21, residents were asked what their policing priorities were in their local area. All residents were asked to rate their top 5 local policing priorities from a pre-defined list.
The top priorities are shown in the table below with the top 5 highlighted in blue. Almost three quarters (73.5%) of residents ranked Violent Crime (including knife crime) in their top 5 local priorities. Over six out of ten residents ranked Burglary (63.2%) and Anti-social behaviour (61.8%) in their top 5 local priorities. Slightly less than six out of ten residents (58.3%) ranked Drugs and Substance Misuse and 54.4% of residents ranked Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse as one of their top local priorities.
Ranking Priority No. of respondents who
ranked in top 5 % of respondents who
ranked in top 5
1 Violent Crime (including knife crime) 786 73.5%
2 Burglary and Theft 675 63.2%
3 Anti-Social Behaviour 661 61.8%
4 Drugs and Substance Misuse 623 58.3%
5 Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse 582 54.4%
6 Serious and Organised Crime 527 49.3%
7 Domestic Abuse 346 32.3%
8 Counter Terrorism 318 29.7%
9 Hate Crime 234 21.9%
10 Fraud 165 15.4%
11 Stalking and Harassment 131 12.2%
Total 1068
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Of note, all participants who completed the Easy Read survey noted that hate crime was a policing
priority for them and suggested that ‘mate crime’ should also be considered as a stand-alone
priority.
The top 5 priorities broken down by each local authority area are illustrated below:
8. Feedback on the service provided by South Wales Police
Engaging with and seeking feedback from the community provides the Commissioner with a richer
picture of local concerns as well as positive feedback about the police. This enables him to better
undertake his duty to hold the force to account.
To gauge a balanced view, residents were asked to comment on what they think South Wales Police
do well and could do better. These comments have been coded into themes.
What South Wales Police do well?
One sixth of residents (15.6%) said that South Wales Police respond well to crime and incidents.
However, of concern, the second highest comment was that residents were unsure of what South
Wales Police does well (14.7%).
Other top responses included: Making the public feel reassured (13.7%), Community Engagement
(13.3%) and Policing Events (8.8%).
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The below table provides an overview of the themes highlighted from respondents:
What South Wales Police could do better?
Respondents were then asked what South Wales could do better. By far the highest response,
highlighted by four out of ten residents (38.8%), was “Local policing including increased visibility and
patrols.” Respondents specified that foot patrols (as opposed to vehicles) by police officers, rather
than PCSOs was preferable. However, residents recognised that this was difficult in today’s financial
climate with budget cuts and less police officers in the area.
This was evidenced further in the second highest response given “Efficient use of resources/ increase
in officers/ further training” (11.4%). Residents commented that they would like to see more police
officers, and those officers that are deployed into police staff roles to be redeployed back as
operational officers. In addition, residents stated that officers needed further training to deal
vulnerable people particularly those suffering with poor mental health.
Of note, 101/999 call waiting times was only highlighted by 23 respondents (2.8%).
The below table provides an overview of the themes highlighted from respondents:
What could South Wales Police do better? No. of respondents
% of respondents
Local policing including increased visibility and patrols 317 38.8%
Efficient use of resources/ Increase in officers/ Further training 93 11.4%
Responding to and investigating crime/incidents effectively 66 8.1%
Communication with public/victims 59 7.2%
Community engagement 37 4.5%
Tackling ASB 37 4.5%
What does South Wales Police do well No. of respondents % of respondents
Responding to Crime and Incidents 123 15.6%
Unsure 116 14.7%
Making the public feel reassured 108 13.7%
Community Engagement 105 13.3%
Policing Events 69 8.8%
Local policing including visibility & patrols 53 6.7%
Communication with the public/victims 48 6.1%
Reducing and Detecting Crime 45 5.7%
Provide a service with reduced budget 25 3.2%
Multi-Agency Work 16 2.0%
Dealing with Domestic Abuse 12 1.5%
Liaison with Schools 12 1.5%
Working to reduce drug-related crime and incidents 7 0.9%
Use of Technology 6 0.8%
Tackling ASB 3 0.4%
Other 39 5.0%
Total 787 100.0%
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Dealing with drug related crime/incidents 36 4.4%
Traffic enforcement 25 3.1%
Violence against women and girls 24 2.9%
101/999 call waiting times 23 2.8%
More manned police stations 18 2.2%
Bringing offenders to justice 14 1.7%
Other 68 8.3%
Grand Total 817
9. Role of the Police and Crime Commissioner
In order to understand the awareness levels amongst communities of the Police and Crime
Commissioner, residents were asked if they knew what the role and responsibilities of the
Commissioner were. Six out of ten (59.6%) residents said they were aware.
Residents were asked how they felt the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner could be better
communicated to the public. These were free text comments that have been summarised into
themes. Over a third of residents (36.3%) stated that they would like the role to be communicated via
social media, newsletters, media and posters. Whilst they appreciated that newsletters could be
expensive to produce, they would prefer a variety of methods used as it was highlighted that not
everyone has access to the Internet or uses social media.
In addition, almost three out of ten residents (29.5%) said they would like face-to-face engagement
from the Commissioner. Examples given included face-to-face public meetings, door knocking in
communities and attendance at community events.
Yes59.6%
No40.4%
Do you know what the role and responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner are?
(637)
(431)
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Of note, 11.8% of respondents said that the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner was not
required. Reasons included that the role was a waste of money and that the money would be better
spent on policing. This suggests that residents do not understand the role of the Commissioner, which
is further evidenced by 6.7% of residents saying that they would like further information on what the
role of the Police and Crime Commissioner is. In addition, 6.5% of residents asked for regular reports
on what has been achieved against the Police and Crime Commissioner’s priorities.
10. Social Media
Residents were asked if they follow the Commissioner or South Wales Police on any of the social media
channels. A significantly higher proportion of respondents said that they followed South Wales Police
– 52.3% in comparison to only 12.9% of residents who follow the Commissioner on social media.
52.3%
12.9%
47.7%
87.1%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
South Wales Police Police & Crime Commissioner
Do you follow the Commissioner or South Wales Police on any of our social media channels?
Yes No
124
36.3%
29.5%
11.8%
6.7%
6.5%
5.8%
1.8%
1.6%
0.0% 5.0% 10.0% 15.0% 20.0% 25.0% 30.0% 35.0% 40.0%
Communication with public through social media/newsletters/ media
Face to Face Engagement
Role is not required
Information needed on what the role of theCommissioner involves
Regular reporting against the Police & CrimeCommissioner's priorities
Other
Engagement with schools
Engagement with Minority/ Hard to reach groups
How do you feel the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner could be better communicated to the public?
244
198
79
45
44
39
12
11
(550)
(501)
(136)
(915)
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11. Verbal Feedback
A total of 31 people took part in discussions with an Advocacy service who provide support to
adults with learning difficulties. Most felt that an increase towards the precept was acceptable if
they could see more actual police work being achieved. All 31 people felt that ‘mate crime’ should
have been included either as a separate issue or linked with fraud and possibly other crimes
involving social media. As many adults with learning difficulties are victims of ‘mate crime’, they
felt that the absence of this suggested that they weren’t considered important as members of
society.
In general, everyone felt that contact with South Wales Police on a face-to-face level was good.
Police officers were polite and treated people with respect. However, many felt that it was a
different experience when trying to contact officers via the telephone. Many said that they had
been made to feel like they were pestering them.
The majority of people said that they had never heard of the Police and Crime Commissioner
before and suggested that attending support/community groups would help promote the purpose
of the role.
12. Demographics
In order to help us understand the communities we were reaching, residents were asked to
provide anonymous information about themselves, however, responding to these questions
were not mandatory.
The demographic breakdown of our respondents are outlined below:
Age Number %
16-24 36 3.4%
25-34 132 12.3%
35-44 175 16.3%
45-54 221 20.6%
55-64 195 18.2%
65-74 209 19.5%
75+ 80 7.5%
Unknown 25 2.3%
Grand Total 1073 100.0%
Gender Total %
Male 468 43.6%
Female 547 51.0%
Non Binary 3 0.3%
Other 2 0.2%
Prefer not to say 32 3.0%
Unknown 21 2.0%
Grand Total 1073 100.0%
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Sexual Orientation Total %
Bisexual 27 2.5%
Gay or Lesbian 30 2.8%
Heterosexual 876 81.6%
Other 19 1.8%
Prefer not to say 88 8.2%
Unknown 33 3.1%
Grand Total 1073 100.0%
Gender same as birth Total %
Yes 1006 94%
No 13 1%
Unknown 54 5%
Grand Total 1073 100%
Religion Total %
Buddhist 10 0.9%
Christian 499 46.5%
Hindu 5 0.5%
Jewish 4 0.4%
Muslim 13 1.2%
Sikh 3 0.3%
None 371 34.6%
Prefer not to say 100 9.3%
Other 32 3.0%
Unknown 36 3.4%
Grand Total 1073 100.0%
Ethnicity Ethnicity Number % %
Asian or Asian British
Bangladeshi 1 0.1%
1.2% Indian 4 0.4%
Pakistani 5 0.5%
Any other Asian background 3 0.3%
Black or Black British
African 5 0.5%
0.5% Caribbean 0 0.0%
Any other black background 0 0.0%
Mixed
White and Black African 2 0.2%
1.1% White and Asian 4 0.4%
White and Black Caribbean 0 0.0%
Any other mixed background 6 0.6%
White
British 505 47.1%
89.8%
Irish 8 0.7%
Gypsy, Roma, Traveller 1 0.1%
Welsh 427 39.8%
Other 23 2.1%
Page | 16
Disability Total %
Yes 208 19.4%
No 792 73.8%
Prefer not to say 48 4.5%
Unknown 25 2.3%
Grand Total 1073 100.0%
Disability described Total %
Hearing 29 13.9%
Mobility 83 39.7%
Mental Health Condition 32 15.3%
Learning Difficulty 21 10.0%
Visual 1 0.5%
Other 42 20.2%
Total 208 100.0%
13. Conclusion
The information gathered and the open and honest feedback received via the police precept
consultation will assist the Commissioner in his decision-making when setting the precept level for
2020/21. Once the Commissioner has come to a decision, he will present his proposals to the Police
and Crime Panel in January 2020. The Police and Crime Panel are responsible for holding the Police
and Crime Commissioner to account.
Feedback gathered in relation to local policing priorities and the service provided by South Wales
Police will support with informing the refresh of the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan and the
Commissioner’s scrutiny programme.
Suggestions gathered in relation to how the role and the work of the Commissioner could be better
communicated, has provided us with a useful evidence base and will be used to inform the
Commissioner’s ‘Engagement Strategy’ for 2020/21.
We would like to thank all the participants who took part in our 2020/21 police precept survey.
Other Ethnic Group Chinese 1 0.1%
0.4% Any other Ethnic Group 3 0.3%
Prefer not to say/ Undisclosed
I do not wish to disclose my ethnic origin 26 2.4% 7.0%
Unknown 49 4.6%
Grand Total 1073 100.0%
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