CHESHIRE CONSTABULARY HELPS VICTIMS OF CRIME

People who are unfortunate to be a victim of crime in Cheshire are more satisfied with the way they are dealt with by the police.

Chairman of the Authority, Margaret Ollerenshaw said, “We are delighted to hear that victims feel that they are receiving support in difficult times and that people appreciate the work that local officers do to assist the public. The Authority has invested in improving neighbourhood policing and the way that victims of crime are kept updated and the steady increase in satisfaction levels shows how much things have improved.”

The Constabulary is currently in second place nationally. Feedback from the public including their satisfaction with the service provided in relation to a crime or incident is gathered across the country and in Cheshire, 88.9% of customers are satisfied with the whole experience, 93.7% are satisfied with the ease of contacting the Constabulary and 87.4% are satisfied with the actions taken. Cheshire is also placed first when compared to similar police forces when it comes to providing follow up information. 

Every month, the Constabulary survey victims of domestic burglary, violent crime, vehicle crime and road traffic collisions to determine their level of satisfaction with the service they have received.  The surveys cover four main elements: ease of contact, actions taken, follow-up and treatment, in addition to providing customers with an opportunity to comment on how we might have improved the service provided to them on that particular occasion. 

The surveys are structured around a standard questions set by the Home Office to ensure that the results can be compared between forces. 

Following feedback from victims, the Constabulary is working to make further improvements such as testing the use of text messages to keep people updated and providing a single contact number for people involved in road traffic collisions for advice and an opportunity for vehicle recovery if necessary. 

Margaret Ollerenshaw added, “Whilst this improvement in satisfaction levels is welcomed by the Authority, we will work with the Chief Constable, Dave Whatton, to make sure that we continue to improve and provide the best possible policing service to the people of Cheshire.”