Police bosses in the West Midlands have stated that the 'perception of crime on social media' does not reflect the reality of what is happening in communities. The force was informed that, despite positive data showing significant reductions in several crime categories, people's actual experiences painted a very different picture.
Acting Chief Constable's Response
West Midlands Police's Acting Chief Constable Scott Green expressed confidence in the force's actions and the data produced. However, he acknowledged that the statistics only reflect crimes reported to them and accepted that public perception may differ. He emphasized the need to highlight their work and 'push back' against the narrative occurring elsewhere.
Accountability and Governance Board
During an Accountability and Governance Board meeting, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster noted: 'There have been significant reductions in neighbourhood crime, knife crime, gun crime, and anti-social behaviour. What evidence is available to demonstrate that local communities are experiencing these improvements on the ground, including perceptions of confidence and safety? Sometimes, people reflect back a different experience than the data suggests.'
ACC Green's Remarks
ACC Green responded: 'We are confident in the accuracy of our data. However, our data measures only crimes reported to us. There may be communities or individuals who do not report incidents, which can alter perceptions. Additionally, social media influences everyone's view. The perception of crime seen on social media may not match what is happening in local communities.'
He added: 'The force must continue to push forward, share good practices and results achieved by our officers and staff on the frontline daily. We need to amplify this on our social media channels to counterbalance narratives elsewhere. We are confident in our actions but accept the difference in perception when talking to the public. We encourage everyone to have confidence in the system and report crimes to us, as it helps identify those causing harm and informs our resourcing decisions.'
