The Authority has been busy over the past few months with community engagement events across Sussex. The Authority has purposefully moved away from the more traditional 'public meeting' format, into more pro-active and innovative ways to engage with members of the public. The Authority recognised the need to 'go to the public' rather than expect the public to come to us. The Authority recently attended various types of events such as Plumpton College Open Day, the South of England Show and Pride 2009.

This year, we really wanted to reach young people's views (aged 10 - 17) on policing in Sussex. When setting the programme of events for, we actively sought events that would naturally attract young people of all ages and backgrounds. We even had an incentive to encourage young people to complete our surveys (a laptop). This idea was hugely successful, as we managed to speak to more young people than adults for the first time ever.

A total of 811 surveys were completed during the period May to August 2009. These surveys are currently being analysed, and the full results will be available for the next Neighbourhood Policing Scrutiny Committee on 12 November 2009, and then will be fed into the development of the Local Policing Plan.

Initial analysis from selected events gives a general overview of public perception on local policing. A summary of these findings is shown below.

South of England Show ( 11, 12 & 13 June 2009)
When asked 'Do you feel safe in your neighbourhood at night/day? Why?'

• 86.4% of youths felt safe in their neighbourhood (for reasons such as police presence, street lighting and being familiar with their local area)
• 80% of adults felt safe in their neighbourhood (for reasons such as Neighbourhood Watch and good neighbourly relations and living in rural or quiet areas)

Pride 2009 (01 August 2009)
When asked 'Do you think the police are doing a good job in your area?'

• 72.7% of youths answered yes to this question (for reasons such as fast police response, good police presence and low crime)
• 80.9% of adults answered yes to this question (several respondents stated that the police are doing their best with limited resources)

Eastbourne 999 event (11 July 2009)
When asked 'If you were the Chief Constable of Sussex Police, what would you focus your spending on?'

• Most youths responded with priorities such as community safety, more police presence, more CCTV and equipment and taking 'yobs off the street' and providing more facilities for young people

Most adults responded with priorities such as more police presence, curbing Anti-Social Behaviour and educating young people on good citizenship

Members of the public will be able to complete any surveys and receive feedback from past surveys on this area of the website in due course.