Community Safety
Community Safety Survey Results
The Vale of Glamorgan Crime Reduction Partnership undertook a
survey of Citizens' Panel members during November 2004 on the
subject of crime and disorder. This survey was intended, as part of
the Crime and Disorder Audit, to provide data to help ensure that
the opinions and experiences of local residents are fully taken
into account within the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy 2005
– 2008.
The response rate for the survey was 41%, which translated to
1,376 questionnaires.
Listed below is a summary of the results of the survey.
Fear of Crime
Overall levels of concern with many types of crime are fairly
high, with over 50% of respondents stating that they were either
fairly worried or very worried about numerous types of crime.
Of the individual crimes and incidents, the one most worried
about was residential burglary of the individual's home (56%).
Related issues such as attempted burglary of the home (54.9%),
burglary of an outhouse or shed (51.6%) and damage to the home or
property (50.1%) were the issues that invoked the highest levels of
concern.
In comparison to figures from the 2001 survey, the 2004 results
are very encouraging with a fall in levels of concern with almost
all crimes types over this period. In 2001 41% of respondents
stated they were either very worried or fairly worried about being
physically attacked whereas in 2004 this dropped to 34.2%. Sadly
the one concern that appears to have increased is the fear of being
harassed due to sexual orientation, disability, colour, race or
religious belief, which has risen from 10.6% of respondents in 2001
to 14.0% in 2004.
Experience of Crime
In total the number of crimes experienced by respondents over
the previous twelve-month period were 802. The most common crimes
during the last year were:
Verbal assault: 178 incidences or 12.9%
Damage to home or property: 165 incidences or 12.0%
Items stolen out of or off vehicle: 105 incidences or 7.6%
Respondents reported over 27% of the crimes to the police. The
most likely crime to be reported is burglary with 90.2% of
incidents reported. The main reasons participants gave for not
reporting a crime were that they did not feel it was important
enough (11.7%) or that they felt there was little chance of
catching the perpetrator (15.3%).
Anti-Social Behaviour
The six prevalent issues of anti-social behaviour experienced by
our respondents or a member of their family are speeding vehicles
(52.8%), inconvenient or illegal parking (48.3%), litter issues
including fly tipping (41.1%), youths congregating on the street
(38.6%), street drinking (35.2%) and setting fires or fireworks
(33.5%).
Anti social behaviour appears to be far less likely to be
reported than crime. The most commonly reported issue being
abandoned vehicles, which was reported by 7.8% of respondents and
litter nuisance (5.7%). Very few members of the public (1.8%) tend
to report street drinking problems.
Respondents were overwhelmingly in favour of a higher presence
and visibility of community Police officers to reduce instances of
anti social behaviour. 85.5% of respondents stated that this would
be a very effective or effective method of tackling the problem.
Diversionary activities for young people was also highly rated as a
method.
Feeling of Safety in Public
In response to the question regarding people feeling safe
outside their neighbourhoods, problematic areas were listed as
Barry town centre followed by Llantwit Major town centre. Overall
39.3% of respondents felt either fairly or very unsafe when walking
alone in their nearest town centre at night.
Respondents were asked if they were to visit their town centre
during the evening which initiatives did they feel would be most
effective or would most like to see. The top four preferences
were:
Increased police presence: 928 or 67.4%
More CCTV coverage: 656 or 47.7%
Better lighting: 472 or 34.3%
Introduction of community safety wardens: 451 or 32.8%
Safety in the Home
Very few residents have window or door grills and shutters
fitted (5.9%). The most popular security features adopted by 83.4%
of respondents were window locks, followed by additional door locks
or door security at 71.2%.
87.3% of respondents have a smoke alarm fitted in their
properties, 69.2% of which were fitted by the resident and 17.8%
were fitted by the Council or other agency. Only 49.5% of
respondents were aware that a smoke alarm should be tested on a
daily basis. Encouragingly, as it is a recent initiative, 58.8% of
respondents have a fire escape plan.
Contact
For further information on the results of this survey, or on the
Community Safety Partnership itself, please contact:
Community Safety Officer
2-8 Holton Road
Barry
CF63 4AD
Tel: 01446 709835