South Yorkshire folk 'feel safer,' says survey

Fifty-five percent of people questioned felt “very or fairly” worried by crime, down five per cent on last year’s Your Voice Counts poll.

The public were asked about antisocial behaviour, criminal justice and what should be the force’s priorities.

The fear of antisocial crime has remained static for three years but the survey showed more people were aware of the work of their Safer Neighbourhood Team.

South Yorkshire Police Authority chairman Charles Perryman said: “The survey has been a very important indicator to us of the public’s view over the last four years and has helped us to shape policy and channel resources and focus where they are most needed.

“In light of the coalition Government’s public spending cuts, and the resulting £40m shortfall the force faces in its annual budget over the next four years, it is more important than ever the police and its authority are able to gauge what the region feels about the current service and what it wants to see in the future.”

The authority recently announced a series of focus groups to take into account the public opinion over the cuts. Email Tracy Webster at [email protected] for dates and venues.