DOCSLIB.ORG

Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Police Authority Best Value Audit and Inspection

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Police Authority Best Value Audit and Inspection Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Police Authority Best Value Audit and Inspection Prepared for the Accounts Commission and Scottish ministers July 2011 The Accounts Commission The Accounts Commission is a statutory, independent body which, through the audit process, requests local authorities in Scotland to achieve the highest standards of financial stewardship and the economic, efficient and effective use of their resources. The Commission has four main responsibilities: • securing the external audit, including the audit of Best Value and Community Planning • following up issues of concern identified through the audit, to ensure satisfactory resolutions • carrying out national performance studies to improve economy, efficiency and effectiveness in local government • issuing an annual direction to local authorities which sets out the range of performance information they are required to publish. The Commission secures the audit of 32 councils and 45 joint boards and committees (including police and fire and rescue services). Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland HMICS operates independently of police forces, police authorities and the Scottish Government and exists to monitor and improve the police service in Scotland. HMICS does this on behalf of the Scottish public by: • monitoring, through self-assessment and inspection, how effectively the police service in Scotland is fulfilling its purpose and managing risk • supporting improvement by identifying good practice, making recommendations and sharing our findings in order to achieve better outcomes for Scotland’s communities • providing advice to Scottish ministers, police authority and joint board members and police forces and services. Even though HMICS is independent of the Scottish Government, ministers can call upon the Inspectorate to undertake particular pieces of work. Audit Scotland is a statutory body set up in April 2000 under the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000. It provides services to the Auditor General for Scotland and the Accounts Commission. Together they ensure that the Scottish Government and public sector bodies in Scotland are held to account for the proper, efficient and effective use of public funds. Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde Police Authority 1 Contents Commission findings Part 3. Strathclyde Police Page 2 performance assessment Page 26 HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland findings Performance outcomes Page 3 Page 27 Introduction Part 4. Improvement Page 4 recommendations Page 31 Summary Page 7 The improvement programme Overall conclusions Improvement agenda Page 8 Page 32 Part 1. Context Appendix 1. Expectations of police Page 9 authorities Page 33 The local context Page 10 Part 2. Corporate assessment Page 14 Vision and strategic direction Governance and accountability Page 15 Community leadership and engagement Page 18 Partnership working Page 19 Performance management and improvement Page 20 Use of resources Page 21 Equalities Page 24 Sustainability Page 25 2 Commission findings 1. This is the fourth audit and 4. Strathclyde Police Authority 8. The Commission gratefully inspection report on the performance decided to put in place substantial acknowledges the co-operation by a police authority and force of their resources and capacity to support and assistance provided to the joint statutory duties on Best Value and its work. However, it has not used audit and inspection team by the Community Planning. It has been that capacity to full effect and is not elected members of Strathclyde produced jointly by the Controller of yet getting sufficient value from this Police Authority, the chief constable Audit and Her Majesty’s Inspector of support function. This is because the and officers of Strathclyde Police Constabulary for Scotland (HMICS). authority needs to be clearer about and other officials and community The Accounts Commission accepts what professional support it expects planning partners. the report from the Controller of Audit in order to allow it to exercise its on the Strathclyde Police Authority. governance role more effectively In accordance with the Commission’s and to support scrutiny of the statutory responsibilities these performance of the police force. findings relate only to the Best Value audit of the authority, the statutorily 5. The authority is responsible for constituted joint police board. ensuring that the support function is effective and provides value for 2. The Commission welcomes the money. The authority should therefore conclusion from HMICS that the monitor the support function’s communities of Strathclyde receive progress and hold the chief executive a good police service. We recognise to account for the performance of the that Strathclyde Police Authority faces support function and for its delivery some challenges in relation to the of improvements within agreed scale, diversity and geography of the timescales. area it covers. 6. It is clear to the Commission that 3. However, the authority needs to there is a need for more effective become more involved in shaping joint working between the authority, the policing priorities for the area its support function and the force to and more proactive and consistent ensure they are delivering best value in its approach to scrutiny of the for people in the Strathclyde area. performance of the police force. There This, in particular, requires clarity is scope for the authority to strengthen about the roles and responsibilities of its governance of the police service the elected members of the authority and improve its leadership of the and the staff the authority employs in force’s continuous improvement its support function. agenda. Elected members of the authority need to be clearer about their 7. The authority should address the role and how it relates to the chief improvement agenda set out in the constable’s responsibility for directing joint audit and inspection report. policing operations. Improved training The Commission requests that the and skills development is key and will Controller of Audit provides a further give members greater confidence in report in around 12 months time, to holding the chief constable to account. enable the Commission to review the police authority’s progress in fulfilling its role more effectively and in getting better value from the resources it has available to it. 3 HM Inspector of Constabulary for Scotland findings 1. As Her Majesty’s Inspector of • a staff survey should be carried 6. The joint audit and inspection Constabulary for Scotland, I hold a out to provide their workforce approach adopted in the preparation statutory responsibility to inspect both with an opportunity to engage of this report continues to develop Strathclyde Police and Strathclyde and shape the future of policing and is contributing towards a more Police Authority. I concur with the in Strathclyde effective scrutiny regime that Accounts Commission findings on the demonstrates our commitment Best Value and Community Planning • the force should continue to to achieving best value in performance of Strathclyde Police develop its strategic approach Scottish policing. Authority and offer the following to change and the integration of comment on the performance of post implementation evaluation Strathclyde Police. measures into their processes, underpinned by an effective 2. My overall assessment of communication strategy Strathclyde Police is that it is performing well and that the force • the force should continue to demonstrates many of the elements develop its methodology to better of best value. The force executive understand the costs of policing provide strong leadership and have activity and link to resource created a strong performance culture deployment. within the organisation. They have embarked on a significant change 4. I look forward to receiving a programme to prepare the force for plan from Strathclyde Police and the challenges ahead. Overall, crime Strathclyde Police Authority which rates are falling and detection rates addresses the improvement agenda have increased. The introduction of set out in this joint audit and the Integrated Service Delivery Model inspection report. has further strengthened the force commitment to community policing 5. I also wish to acknowledge my by increasing the number of officers gratitude for the co-operation and working directly with and within their assistance afforded to the joint local communities, addressing the audit and inspection team by the issues most affecting their citizens. chief constable, officers and staff of Strathclyde Police, the convener 3. As with all organisations, there is and elected members of Strathclyde scope for continuous improvement. Police Authority, the chief executive In particular, I would highlight that: and staff of the police authority office and other officials and community • the force should improve planning partners. administrative procedures relevant to its management of complaints to ensure all relevant information is accurately recorded 4 Introduction Introduction 5 This joint report is made by the but allowing them local discretion The key objectives of this joint audit Controller of Audit to the Accounts on the methods and routes they and inspection were to: Commission under section 102(1) of use. The Scottish Government has the Local Government (Scotland) Act issued further guidance for police • assess the extent to which 1973 and by Her Majesty’s Inspector authorities and forces. This guidance Strathclyde Police
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Home Office Police Research Group Briefing Note
    Home Office Police Research Group Briefing Note TACKLING STREET ROBBERY: A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF OPERATION EAGLE EYE Police Research Group - Crime Detection and Prevention Series Paper 87 by Janet E Stockdale and Peter J Gresham April 1998 Summary Main findings Street robbery has been a source of growing Recorded offences, detections and stops/searches concern over the past decade. In London and in The research suggests that in its initial stages Eagle other metropolitan areas, the incidence of street Eye had some impact on both the incidence and robbery has increased significantly, while clear- detection of street robbery. In the Operation’s first up rates have remained static. year, the number of recorded street robberies across This report looks at Operation Eagle Eye, the the Metropolitan Police District remained static Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) strategy for (– 0.1%) compared with a 26% rise in the previous tackling street robbery. Introduced in August 1995, year. Over the same period, the clear-up rate Eagle Eye combines a proactive, intelligence-led increased from 12 to 21% with increases in both approach with improved investigative practices primary and secondary detections. While the and the concentration of resources in those performance of designated Eagle Eye divisions was, divisions most affected by the problem. In on average, better than that of non-Eagle Eye February 1996, co-operation with the British divisions, there are some points to note: Transport Police (BTP) was formally recognised ● some non-Eagle Eye divisions saw large when BTP adopted the Eagle Eye banner for their decreases in street robbery. These were often action against street robbery.
    [Show full text]
  • Archived Content Contenu Archivé
    ARCHIVED - Archiving Content ARCHIVÉE - Contenu archivé Archived Content Contenu archivé Information identified as archived is provided for L’information dont il est indiqué qu’elle est archivée reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It est fournie à des fins de référence, de recherche is not subject to the Government of Canada Web ou de tenue de documents. Elle n’est pas Standards and has not been altered or updated assujettie aux normes Web du gouvernement du since it was archived. Please contact us to request Canada et elle n’a pas été modifiée ou mise à jour a format other than those available. depuis son archivage. Pour obtenir cette information dans un autre format, veuillez communiquer avec nous. This document is archival in nature and is intended Le présent document a une valeur archivistique et for those who wish to consult archival documents fait partie des documents d’archives rendus made available from the collection of Public Safety disponibles par Sécurité publique Canada à ceux Canada. qui souhaitent consulter ces documents issus de sa collection. Some of these documents are available in only one official language. Translation, to be provided Certains de ces documents ne sont disponibles by Public Safety Canada, is available upon que dans une langue officielle. Sécurité publique request. Canada fournira une traduction sur demande. Institute for Strategic International Studies ISIS - 2011 REPORT Emergency Readiness is Leadership Driven Institute for Strategic International Studies - ISIS 2011 Contents Membership … 3 Executive Summary … 4 Domestic Research Plan … 6 Global Research Plan … 7 International Field Studies - Interviews … 10 ISIS 2011 – Consolidation Of Research – What Canada Needs to Know … 11 ISIS 2011 - Themes … 12 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Scottish Violence Reduction Unit
    Scottish Violence Reduction Unit Glasgow, Scotland http://www.actiononviolence.com/ Detective Chief Superintendent John Carnochan and his fellow co-director Karyn McCluskey established the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) within Strathclyde Police in January 2005 with the aim of developing a strategy that would bring about sustainable reductions in violence within Strathclyde. In April 2006 the Scottish Executive (now Government) extended the VRU’s remit nationwide, thus creating a national centre of expertise on violence prevention. The VRU’s fundamental tenet is that “violence is preventable – not inevitable”. VPA focal person Karin McCluskey Tel: +44 141 532 5806 Fax: +44 141 532 5847 Email: [email protected] Karyn has over 15 years experience working in intelligence analysis for police forces across the UK. She was head of intelligence analysis at West Mercia Police prior to joining Strathclyde Police eight years ago as Principal Analyst. During her time with Strathclyde she set up the force’s intelligence analysis function and was responsible for over 90 staff. Originally trained as a registered nurse, Karyn holds a BSc and MSc in Psychology and has published on violence reduction and the social structure of teams committing armed robbery. She has worked in the National Health Service and Her Majesty's Prisons, as well as in Africa. In 2009 she successfully completed the Strategic Command Course for senior leaders in the Police. She recently finished a year’s secondment to the Metropolitan Police, developing their violence plan and leading the Territorial Policing Change Programme. Karyn is an Honorary Lecturer in Medicine at the University of Glasgow and a Fellow by distinction of the Faculty of Public Health – an arm of the Royal College of Physicians.
    [Show full text]
  • HMICS Effective Practice Submission
    HMICS Effective Practice submission Title Strathclyde Police and Grampian Police Body Worn Video Force Details CI John Laing, Strathclyde Police, CI Nick Topping, Grampian Police What was the problem / Targeting violence and anti-social behaviour is a national operational priority of the issue Scottish Policing Assessment 2011/15 which contributes to the Scottish Government National Outcome “we live our lives safe from crime disorder and danger. It is also a force and local policing priority which features in local authority single outcome agreements and community planning partnership strategies. Renfrewshire was chosen for this initiative as it has a particularly high level of violence and anti-social behaviour and has a number areas of deprivation including Ferguslie Park (ranked 2 in the SIMD 2009) . Its geography also includes rural areas that are not served by fixed site cctv systems and a number of cycle tracks where mobile cctv is ineffective. Northfield/Mastrick in Grampian were similarly chosen for high levels of violence as well as being one of the most socially deprived in the force area. Public space CCTV plays a significant role in the prevention, detection and prosecution of crime (A national strategy for CCTV in Scotland 2011). Research into a previous National pilot of BWV by the Home Office Police and Crime Standards Directorate (Guidance for the Police use of Body Worn Video Devices - July 2007) highlighted some early results in terms of crime reduction and increased public reassurance as well as reductions in paperwork and court attendance from increased guilty pleas associated with the use of this technology.
    [Show full text]
  • Complaints Recording Audit Central Scotland Police
    Complaints recording audit Central Scotland Police November 2011 Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary Fife Constabulary Grampian Police Lothian & Borders Police Northern Constabulary Strathclyde Police Tayside Police Central Scotland Police Contents Summary and key findings page 1 Summary of recommendations page 1 Commissioner’s role page 2 Introduction and scope page 2 Background page 3 Methodology page 3‐4 Findings and recommendations page 4‐6 Conclusion page 6 Summary and key findings Three Complaint About the Police cases were identified from the period audited 2010 – 11 as not having been recorded. This represents 0.6 % (3/510) of the total sample size examined and as such is the non – recording rate of complaints about the police in respect of Central Scotland Police. Reflecting the audit findings an overall assurance level has been applied to the initial recording of complaints about the police by Central Scotland Police as follows: Substantial Assurance This is because the initial recording of complaints about the police was considered to be generally robust, supported by sophisticated procedures for the handling of correspondence and well trained staff. However, the lack of a formal audit process to ensure consistency in recording practices is viewed as a weakness. The recommendations made provide an opportunity for the force to enhance confidence in their overall recording practices. Assurance level Definition Sound system of control designed to achieve the system FULL objectives. Essentially a sound system but with weaknesses that put SUBSTANTIAL some system objectives at risk. Weaknesses in the system of controls put system LIMITED objectives at risk. Control is weak leaving the system open to significant NIL error or abuse.
    [Show full text]
  • Conference & Exhibition
    CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION SECURITY CONFERENCETuesday & EXHIBITION 1 May 2018 An event by Scotland Hilton Hotel, William St, Glasgow WELCOME Roy Cooper, Managing Director of Professional Security Magazine, welcomes you to Security TWENTY 18 Scotland here at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. We have planned the day so that you can enjoy some excellent presentations from key industry people that are involved with the changing world in which we live. Whatever your subject of expertise, there should be something in the presentations for you to learn and leave feeling better informed. I would like to thank firstly exhibitors who have made the day possible with their contributions, and a special thanks to our sponsors Anixter, Hanwha Techwin, Hikvision, Seagate, CSL Dualcom and Netvu. Please take the time to visit their stands as they too have new innovations you may not have seen before. I also would especially like to thank our key note speakers for taking the time out of their busy days to come and share their knowledge with you, but more to the point I would like to thank you for coming along. I hope you have a great day and look forward to welcoming you to our next event. NOMINATED CHARITY As you may know, we aim to raise funds for local charities at each of our events and are especially keen to support charities which are close to the hearts of our exhibitors and delegates. At Security TWENTY 18 Scotland we will be raising funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust in memory of Graeme Hazlewood of the NSI who sadly lost his fight with cancer in March 2018.
    [Show full text]
  • West Coats Primary School Parent Council
    West Coats Primary School Parent Council Mr John Boyle Dr. Elena Fawcett Enterprise Resources 35 Brownside Road Roads and Transpofiation Services Cambuslang G72 8NH South Lanarkshire Council Montrose House, Montrose Crescent Hamilton MI-3 6LB 1510412012 Dear Mr Boyle, Results of Speed Survey Brownside Road / West Coats Primary School over I year after installation of 20Mph Part time mandatory signage in response to proyen speeding on Brownside Road from previous Survey April 2009 On behalfofthe Parent Council West Coats Primary School Cambuslang I would like to thank you and your team for organising the Speed Survey at Brownside Road/ West Coats Primary School and sending a copy ofthe results to us. We have had the oppofiunity to discuss the results and further actions required at our Parent Council Meeting on 24th January 2012 and also during a Road Safety Meeting on 16th Febnrary 2012 involving the HT Mrs Sheila Lynch, Sgt Derek Kavanagh, Dr Elena Fawcett as Parent Council Road Safety Co-ordinator and the Crossing Patrollers serving the 2 junctions around the school. In addition to the data received from SLC we requested under the Freedom oflnformation Act data ofall RTAs within immediate school vicinity over the last 3years (copy attached); received in March 2012. After analysing the data ofthe Speed survey on Brownside Road/ West Coats Primary School you supplied we would summarise our results as follows: r West Coats Primary School Payent Council Data were presented for 5 working days during school traffic hours taken mornings and aftemoons at 2 locations, one similar to April 2009 at West Coats PS and second location moved from 20 Brownside Road(2009) to 48 Brownside Road as nearer the 20mph part-time signage.
    [Show full text]
  • Lanarkshire Detail
    Lanarkshire Detail Welcome to the Lanarkshire Branch: – This section is regularly updated with news and photographs, please visit often. Also, visit our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/rpoas.lanarkshire it is very popular with 1,356 page ‘likes’. You will find over 1,500 photographs, six video clips and items of interest. New photographs are always welcome. Enjoy a browse but be careful, time flies when you’re enjoying yourself. The Branch Committee L to R Standing: Bob Millar; Tom Cairns; Bill Cushley; Margaret McLean; Bill Dempster; Evan MacKay; Delmer Bowman. Seated: Henry Harper; Ellen Callan; Jim Manson NAME DESIGNATION EMAIL ADDRESS 1 Ellen Callan President [email protected] 2 James Manson Vice-President [email protected] 3 Henry Harper Secretary & Treasurer [email protected] 4 Tom Cairns Committee Member [email protected] 5 Evan MacKay Committee Member [email protected] 6 Margaret McLean Committee Member [email protected] 7 Bill Dempster Committee Member [email protected] 8 Delmer Bowman Committee Member [email protected] 9 Bill Cushley Committee Member [email protected] 10 Bob Millar Committee Member [email protected] The majority of our members served in Lanarkshire Constabulary and Strathclyde Police; however, everyone is made welcome. The Branch comprises the areas of North & South Lanarkshire, however, our members are spread far and wide. Our membership stands at 624 consisting of 565 Ordinary Members; and 59 Life Members. There are 37 Associate members and 5 Friends of RPOAS Lanarkshire. Six members live abroad, Sparta, New Jersey, USA; Rojales, Alicante, Spain; Desert Canyon, Phoenix, Arizona; Cochrane, Alberta, Canada; Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Dhekelia, Cyprus.
    [Show full text]
  • Written Answers
    Monday 30 September 2013 SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT Enterprise and Environment Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take between now and 2020 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the reported 16.3% necessary to meet the interim target of 42% by 2020 compared with the 1990 base year. (S4W-17270) Paul Wheelhouse: Low Carbon Scotland: Meeting the Emissions Reduction Targets 2013-2027, published on 27 June 2013, sets out the policies and proposals that can deliver a 42% reduction in emissions by 2020. The Scottish Government will be implementing and developing these policies and proposals between now and 2020, and the draft budget 2014-15 outlines plans to boost investment in meeting our world-leading climate change targets. Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party): To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to improve (a) radio and (b) mobile phone reception on the A82. (S4W-17396) Nicola Sturgeon: Radio reception falls under the reserved policy area of broadcasting, which is regulated by Ofcom. Improving radio reception would rest with the UK Government in discussion with the BBC and the commercial radio sector. Last year, the UK Government announced that the A82 will benefit from its £150 million Mobile Infrastructure Project, which will improve mobile phone coverage in so-called “Not Spots”. The project is now underway. Learning and Justice Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Scottish Labour): To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on how many people participating in the modern apprenticeship programme identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender and what percentage this represents of the total number of apprentices taking part in the programme.
    [Show full text]
  • Queen's Police Medal
    THE LONDON GAZETTE SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER 2007 SUPPLEMENT No. 1 N25 James Joseph Ferro, lately Captain of the Port of David Commins, Chief Superintendent, Metropolitan Gibraltar. Police Service. Ms Jean Gilchrist. For services to animal welfare in Michael Culverhouse, lately Chief Constable, Isle of Kenya. Man Constabulary. Gordon Thomas Howard. For services to the elderly in Peter Gordon Currie, Detective Chief Superintendent, Zimbabwe. Merseyside Police. Katharine, Mrs. Howard. For services to the elderly in John William Curry, Chief Superintendent, Her Zimbabwe. Majesty’s Inspectorate of Elvet Macmurtry Hughes. For services to education and Constabulary Wakefield. charitable interests in Anguilla. James Gamble, Assistant Chief Constable, Serious Robert John Lamburne, UK Director of Forensic Organised Crime Agency. Services, Iraq. For services to policing in Iraq. Alfred Henry Hitchcock, Deputy Assistant Ms Lynn Li, Senior Commercial OYcer, British Trade Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Service. and Cultural OYce, Taiwan. Ms Julia Hodson, Deputy Chief Constable, West Miss Mary Maloney, Second Secretary, Foreign and Yorkshire Police. Commonwealth OYce. Joseph Holness, Constable, Kent Police. Dr. Lawrence Hood Mitchell. For services to Jerry Kirkby, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, community development in Nigeria. Surrey Police. Dr. Fouzia Murtuza Mohiud-Din. For services to British John Richard Graham MacBrayne, Detective pilgrims on the Hajj pilgrimage. Superintendent, Metropolitan Police Service. Dr. Syed Mustafa Mohiud-Din. For services to British Kenneth MacRae, Detective Sergeant, Metropolitan pilgrims on the Hajj pilgrimage. Police Service. Ms Alison Suzanne Pockett, lately President, British Ms Amanda Mason, Inspector, West Midlands Police. Chamber of Commerce in Japan. For services to the Andrew Murphy, Detective Chief Superintendent, British Chamber of Commerce and charitable interests Metropolitan Police Service.
    [Show full text]
  • Police Service Strength
    Police service strength Standard Note: SN00634 Last updated: 10 September 2012 Author: Gavin Berman Section Social and General Statistics This note summarises police service strength data from the Home Office, Scottish Government and Police Service of Northern Ireland. Detailed police service strength data for England and Wales, at 31 March 2012, was published in July 2012. A headline update with data at 30 September 2012, will be published in January 2013 • Police Service Strength, England and Wales, 31 March 2012, HOSB 09/12 • Police Service Strength, England and Wales, 30 September 2011, HOSB 03/12 Further information for Scotland and Northern Ireland is available: • Police Strength Statistics for Scotland • Police Service of Northern Ireland This information is provided to Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary duties and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual. It should not be relied upon as being up to date; the law or policies may have changed since it was last updated; and it should not be relied upon as legal or professional advice or as a substitute for it. A suitably qualified professional should be consulted if specific advice or information is required. This information is provided subject to our general terms and conditions which are available online or may be provided on request in hard copy. Authors are available to discuss the content of this briefing with Members and their staff, but not with the general public. Contents 1 Summary 3 2 England and Wales 4 2.1 Police officer strength 5 Long term trends 6 2.2 Police officer diversity 7 2.3 Leavers and Joiners 9 2.4 Other Police Service Staff 10 Police civilian support staff 10 Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) 10 Special Constabulary 10 2.5 Measuring the frontline 12 3 Scotland 16 4 Northern Ireland 18 5 International comparisons 19 6 Appended Tables 20 2 1 Summary • There were approximately 220,500 FTE staff working in the police service at the end of March 2012.
    [Show full text]
  • A Note on the Closure of Rural Police-Stations and the Decline of Rural Policing in Britain Robert Smithã and Peter Somervilleãã Downloaded From
    348 Article The Long Goodbye: A Note on the Closure of Rural Police-Stations and the Decline of Rural Policing in Britain Robert Smithà and Peter SomervilleÃà Downloaded from Abstract This research note documents the recent controversy surrounding the closure of police stations in the UK between 2007 and 2012. It examines the statistics as reported in the press and discusses the rhetoric used in the debate http://policing.oxfordjournals.org/ to draw conclusions about how the closure of police stations will affect rural policing and rural crime. Preserving the distinctiveness of reassurance. Major themes of this distinctive cul- rural policing tural identity is the ‘Constable (in the) Countryside’ Rural policing in Britain has a distinctive cultural (Yarwood and Cozens, 2004; Mawby and Yarwood, identity (Young, 1993; Yarwood and Cozens, 2004; 2010) and the eulogization of the ‘rural bobby’ (Smith, 2010). The rural bobby is now very much Mawby and Yarwood, 2010). In particular, at Georgetown University on July 12, 2015 Yarwood and Cozens remark on how police culture a part of the rural idyll (Mingay, 1989). in rural settings is distinctly different to that of Rural policing has been a feature of policing his- urban police culture. An integral part of the archi- tory in England and Wales since the Rural Policing tecture of rural policing is the police station as Act of 1839 (also referred to as the Rural symbol of public order. Indeed, the ubiquitous sta- Constabularies Act of 1839) and in Scotland since tion plays a major part in the architecture of public the Police (Scotland) Act 1857[for a discussion on reassurance (Millie, 2010, 2012) particularly in the the development of policing in Scotland, see the rural domain.
    [Show full text]