Confidence in police service at all-time high

Public confidence in the North’s police service has risen to an all-time high, a new survey revealed today.

With increased backing from both Catholics and Protestants, the force is on course to meet a tough performance target.

The latest six-monthly, independent study of perceptions of the PSNI found 83% of those questioned have either some, a lot, or total faith in its ability to provide an ordinary day-to-day service for everyone.

That level was up 4% from the previous assessment and matches the goal set in this year’s Policing Plan.

Although Policing Board chairman Desmond Rea praised the findings, he urged the force to go even further.

Mr Rea said: “These figures show that real progress is being made but there is still considerable work to be done, particularly in engaging communities that have been disaffected in the past, and this is a priority for the Board to ensure.”

The Omnibus Survey, which also examined perceptions of the Board and District Policing Partnerships, was carried out in April this year.

It found more people (65%) think the PSNI does a good job in the North as a whole than in their own area (61%). Those figures were up 7% and 9% respectively from October.

And even though nearly half (43%) are satisfied with police patrol levels – up by 8% – a third (33%) are still unhappy.

For the first time public confidence in the PSNI’s ability to deal with terrorism was assessed.

It discovered that more Protestants (80%) have at least some faith, compared with Catholics (73%). One in five have little or no confidence at all.

However, with Sinn Féin now endorsing the North's policing arrangements, more on both sides of the religious divide believe the PSNI is doing a good job.

Among Catholics the rise was a substantial 10% from last October.

And nine out of every 10 people questioned feel either very or fairly safe in their local community.

Despite more people (13%) believing overall policing standards in their area had got better during the last year, the exact same amount felt it had worsened.

But Mr Rea was encouraged by the generally upbeat picture which emerged from the survey.

“The Board has consistently set challenging targets for the police to meet and the figures published today are not only positive but provide further evidence of a growing confidence in policing,” he added.

“With support for policing from across the political spectrum secured, the police can now get on with job of policing, and the Board will continue to hold the Chief Constable to account for the delivery of effective, efficient and impartial policing.

“At the end of the day, the attitudes of the public will be based on service delivery so it is really important that the policing service is of a consistent high standard and meets community need.”

Out of those who had heard of DPPs, 83% showed some confidence that they will help address local policing problems – a 12% rise.

And the number of people who think the Policing Board helps to ensure the police do a good job was up 10% to 73%.