We're listening, say Fife police officers

“Your view counts and is valued” is a 15 minute survey that can be completed at any time of the year, and the comments received will help shape policing priorities.

But community police officers in Cupar realised that not everyone has access to computers or online facilities and worked with Fife Cultural Trust (FCT) to create a shortcut on all library PCs allowing easy access to the consultation survey.

And such was the success of the Cupar initiative, it has now been expanded to include the whole of Fife.

The benefit of an online system is that respondents can take part at a time which is convenient for them, now, if they don’t have personal access to a computer, they can use community facilities with free internet access in one of many locations across Fife.

Yvonne Melville, FCT’s service development team Leader, libraries (adults) said: “Fife Cultural Trust is delighted to be helping Police Scotland widen access to the online version of the Local Policing Consultation.  Computers were placed in libraries over 15 years ago for exactly this reason – to ensure that all members of local communities could gain free access to computers and the internet.  All we ask for this free access to library computers is proof of identity.”

Chief Inspector Adrian Annandale added: ‘Your View Counts is the public’s opportunity to have their say in addressing local issues impacting on their local communities. This information will be used to identify what the policing priorities are in their local area. This shortcut provided on all PCs in libraries within Fife will allow everyone to have their say’.

The responses to the consultation process will be continually monitored and quarterly progress reports will be published on the Police Scotland website.

The electronic survey doesn’t replace face-to-face contact – community police officers are committed to existing activities including Coffee with Cops and going along to community council meetings.

Go to scotland.police.uk/yourviewcounts to make your views known.

And if you have information about a crime or any other incident contact Police Scotland on 101 or by calling Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.