'People don't feel safe at night' - Bedfordshire police to step up after dark patrols this winter
A new poll has revealed that large numbers of Bedfordshire residents do not feel safe after dark, with women and older people reporting the highest levels of fear.
The findings come as Bedfordshire Police prepares to start its Winter of Action on December 1, extending its summer Safer Streets work into the darker evenings.
When the poll’s results were published on Monday (November 24), the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) said “most residents” reported feeling safe in their town centres during the daytime.
The More in Common poll found that 81 per cent said they feel safe in their town centre.
But this drops sharply at night, with only 28 per cent of women saying that they felt safe after dark, and 51 per cent of men.
Police and crime commissioner (PCC) John Tizard said perception matters as much as recorded crime.
“Statistically, they are safe, but if people are not feeling safe that’s more important,” he said.
The winter action is in partnership with Bedfordshire’s three local authorities. Speaking about the operation in September, Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said “The Winter of Action will see forces across the country working in partnership with local businesses to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, aiming to reach hundreds of locations.”
Mr Tizard explained: “We will be extending what we will did in the summer town centres into what I would call the twilight hours and then into the night economy as well.
“Whereas the summer scheme, because of lightness etc,. tended to finish around 5 or 6pm, we will be extending that beyond.
“I’m very conscious that there are parts of the county where women, and indeed men, may not feel safe, and we have to give them that reassurance.
“Ultimately, the only way you get over [the perception of being unsafe] is for them to feel safe.
“So they need to feel that when they’re walking that they’ll see officers or they’ll see the antisocial behaviour team for Bedford Borough Council, or the enforcement team from Luton Borough Council.”
“But it will take time,” he said.