A Tale of Two Surveys

There are two reasons for conducting a survey:

(a) To gather objective information as to peoples opinions - this requires careful planning and a "scientific" approach in order to make sure there is no undue influence which may sway respondents one way or another.

(b) To obtain the results required to back up a pre-determined position - this requires careful planning in order to ensure respondents give the required responses.

Researchers use the first method; politicians and lobbyists generally prefer the second.

This is the tale of two surveys, both designed to find out peoples opinion on public CCTV systems in the Bradford district. In both cases it was hoped that the responses would give support to the councils position of installing more cameras in town centres. However, the results were somewhat different. In one case the results were seized and promoted at every opportunity; in the other they were suppressed.

SHIPLEY

Following the installation of cameras in Keighley and Bingley town centres in early 1996, councillors and council officers in Shipley decided to put in a bid to the Home Office for money towards a similar system in Shipley.

The bid required that public support for such a scheme was evident.

Throughout September and October 1996 a concerted media campaign was undertaken by Inspector Cawthorne of Shipley police designed to whip up a fear of crime in the generally crime-free town centre.

"Public are urged to dig deep to cut crime" T&A, Sept 19.

"A Final Chance" Aire Valley Target, Sept 26.

"The weak link in crime-fight chain" On the Beat with Inspector Cawthorne, Aire Valley Target Sept 26.

"Plea to hit deadline for crime cameras" Aire Valley Target, Oct 10.

"Final whip-round for anti-crime cameras" T&A, Oct 16.

"Time is running out to back spy cameras" On the Beat with Inspector Cawthorne, Aire Valley Target, Oct 24.

"MP fears collapse of town if crime cameras bid fails" Aire Valley Target Oct 31.

The main argument was that villains driven out of Bingley by the cameras there would descend on Shipley. This dire threat, of course, never happened.

The T&A article of October 16 announced:

In the Market Square on Saturday Shipley Crime Prevention Panel and Shipley police will set up a caravan to offer advice and show people the benefit CCTV could have to the town centre.

Inspector Nigel Cawthorne, of Shipley police said: "This will show what CCTV would mean to Shipley and what areas will be covered. It will show things like the police back up response to incidents seen on camera and the safe guards we can take.

"I just hope they see the benefits of what this scheme can do and make a contribution while they are there."

The police caravan was duly set up on October 19th from 11 am to 3 pm. On hand to help the 50 people who stepped aboard were police officers and the town centre manager, Bob Parker.

At the end of the guided tour and pep talk, the visitors were asked to fill in a questionnaire.

( See Questionnaire and results ).

These results have been repeatedly produced to show public support for CCTV:

"Last weekend we carried out a survey of shoppers in the market square. They told us some startling facts:

"All of those spoken to were concerned about crime in Shipley centre; most were worried about robbery/mugging particularly in the square and Wellcroft. Two thirds of them avoided the centre at some time of the day due to their fears.

"They all said that a CCTV system would reassure them. This, together with the news that crime in Bingley has fallen by almost 50% since their scheme was installed must prove to us all that Shipley needs CCTV" - Inspector Cawthorne, Aire Valley Target, Oct 24, 1996.

"Shipley MP Sir Marcus Fox believes public confidence in the town centre will suffer a devastating blow if the bid for spy cameras fails. He was appalled by the findings of a police survey which revealed 60 percent of those quizzed shunned the town centre at night. Sir Marcus has urged business leaders to dig deep to help the closed circuit television cameras bid - or face the consequences." - Aire Valley Target, Oct 31, 1996.

"There is massive support for the scheme in Shipley, both from businesses and the public. In fact, there were five unsolicited contributions from members of the public who felt so strongly in favour of the scheme. The only dissenting voices would appear to be from members of the 1 in 12 Club.

"A crime perception survey held in Market Square found 49 out of the 50 surveyed to be wholly in favour of CCTV in Shipley." - Bob Parker, Shipley town centre manager, Dec 3, 1997.

BRADFORD

On 10th December 1996 Bradford Council approved a consultation draft of its first Community Plan and sent a reply-paid questionnaire to every household in the district. 4213 responses were received with comments on the 5 priorities of the plan.

Priority 5 dealt with "Fighting Crime for a Safer Community" and contained a question on CCTV:

Q14: One of the Council's proposals is to install more Closed Circuit TV cameras. In what sort of places (Eg. car parks, subways etc.) could further cameras be most effective in helping you feel safer? (Please describe....)

Of the 4213 responses, just under half responded to this question. Although not specifically asked if they supported CCTV, 40% of respondents made it clear on that they were "strongly opposed" to the cameras. This fact has never been made public.

On March 4, 1997, the council issued a report summary of the findings. (See summary).


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