WARWICKSHIRE Police wants to hear what the public thinks about its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The force has launched a month-long public opinion survey, giving residents the chance to express their views on Warwickshire’s policing approach to the pandemic, including how satisfied they are with the policing response, how well this has been communicated, and whether they support the approach taken.
Warwickshire Police’s head of local policing Ch Supt Ben Smith said the last year had been a particularly challenging time for policing.
He said: “Our officers continue to try to tackle crime, while also adapting to the evolving situation that the Covid-19 pandemic has presented; interpreting and enforcing quickly changing legislation to help minimise the spread of the virus, and in turn, protect lives.
“We have therefore tried to ensure we deliver a considered, balanced and proportionate approach to the unprecedented scenarios we have found ourselves faced with. We recognise that while we don’t always get it right, I am proud to say that as a force, we do appear to have so far successfully struck the balance between discretion, education and enforcement.
“That being said, we are really keen to receive feedback from our communities which is why we have launched this survey as we recognise the importance of understanding the views of the diverse communities we serve, while providing a platform for people to make their voices heard during these challenging times, and beyond.
“I would encourage people to take the time to complete this survey, as the feedback you provide could make a real difference in terms of helping us to understand what we have done as a force that has worked, and what areas could be improved.
“This is a real opportunity for the public to have their say, and the honest feedback you provide will significantly help to inform our ongoing policing approach to the pandemic.”
This month alone, Warwickshire Police officers have issued tickets to people who offered novel excuses for ‘blatant breaches’ of lockdown rules.
They include a man who travelled between Bedworth and Kenilworth in the late evening to ‘hunt Pokemon’, and a couple who travelled from Southam to Burton Dassett Country Park to sit in their car and watch The Only Way Is Essex on a phone.
The survey, which is anonymous and can be completed online or via the telephone, is open to Warwickshire residents and anyone who works in or has travelled to the county and is over the age of 16.
The telephone survey can only be completed by residents who are contacted directly by external survey provider SMSR Ltd, who have been commissioned by Warwickshire Police to conduct the telephone survey.
Visit https://tinyurl.com/y59lmeuv to complete the online survey.
The survey is open until Friday February 19. A report on the findings will be published on the force website.
