Less than half of public trust UK's police: Poll

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
6 Apr 2023 22:32

A new poll shows that less than half of the public trust police in light of scandals involving sexual and domestic abuse offenses.

A metropolitan Police stand on duty in Westminster, London (Reuters)

In the wake of several scandals, a new poll reveals that less than half of the population now has confidence in the police.

The results of an exclusive Savanta survey conducted for The Independent showed that only 49% of respondents indicated they trusted the police, and that number dropped to 46% for women.

This comes a day after it was reported that convicted sex offenders are working for the UK's largest force. The Metropolitan Police has also shifted personnel away from combating organized crime and terrorism to focus on improving its internal governance.

In the wake of Wayne Couzens' 2021 murder of Sarah Everard, a national protest about policing sprang out.

But since then, there have been a number of damaging revelations about the Met Police, including the exposure of ex-PC David Carrick as a serial rapist.

In the UK, when asked if they trusted the police in general, 49% responded positively while 47% responded negatively.

Just 51% of respondents indicated that they would trust the police to take their case seriously if they had been a victim of crime. While the remaining 42% did not know, they added that they did not think that would occur.

Only marginally more people, according to the latest poll, trusted their neighborhood police department. Overall, 56% of people, including 57% of women, indicated they trusted the local police.

On Tuesday, information about the 161 Metropolitan Police officers with criminal convictions—roughly one in 200—became public.

It is worth noting that the Savanta survey was conducted from March 24 through March 26.