Public satisfaction falls in 80% of garda divisions

PEOPLE’S satisfaction rates in the Garda Síochána have fallen in eight out of 10 garda divisions, a new survey shows.

The public’s level of happiness with the force — although still relatively high at 79% — has now reached its lowest level over the last six years.

The Garda Public Attitudes Survey 2006 shows that:

10% of people said they were victims of crime in 2005, down from almost 12% in 2004.

41% said they feared being a victim of crime, down from 52% in 2002.

49% said they feared a family member or friend being a victim of crime, down from 69% in 2002.

86% thought crime was increasing nationally, but only 53% thought it was increasing in their own area.

The survey — conducted among a sample of 10,000 people in 25 garda divisions — was carried out by independent polling company Millward Brown IMS from April to July of last year.

Some 79% of people were satisfied with the overall garda service to the community, compared to 85% in 2004 and 83% in 2005.

Satisfaction rates declined in 21 divisions (84%) and improved in four. People in Waterford/ Kilkenny were least happy with the police, while Kerry constituents were most contented.

There was a significant regional variation in crime victimisation rates, from as low as 4% in Mayo to as 18% in Dublin south and Dublin south central. The rate in Limerick city was 11%, 8% in Cork city and 7% in the Waterford/ Kilkenny division.

The most common crimes were burglaries, criminal damage to car or house, car theft and assault.

Almost nine out of 10 said they reported the crime to gardaí. Only 42% of those expressed satisfaction with being kept informed of progress on their case.

Half those who dialled 999 said the response time was within 15 minutes. In more than 10% of cases, no garda car responded.

Indicating some improvement, more than 70% of people felt safe walking in their neighbourhood after dark, while 86% of people said they felt safe alone in their home at night.

In Limerick, however, 44% of people felt unsafe out walking after dark and 22% felt unsafe in their home at night.

The survey found that people wanted greater manpower, more foot patrols, more contact with the community and longer station opening hours.