People feeling safer in the Bay - survey

Bay of Plenty district commander Superintendent Andy McGregor welcomed the results and said they reflected the hard work of police staff. Photo / File

Bay of Plenty police are welcoming a survey revealing that people's feelings of safety have improved and trust in the police remains steady.

Of those surveyed, 95 per cent said they felt safe in their neighbourhoods during the day - a 3 per cent rise on 2013, according to the 2014 Citizens' Satisfaction Survey.

Feelings of safety in neighbourhoods after dark have also increased by 4 per cent - from 71 per cent to 75 per cent.

Bay of Plenty district commander Superintendent Andy McGregor welcomed the results and said they reflected the hard work of police staff.

"Our communities and our victims are our priority and staff have been working extremely hard to prevent offending, nurture safe environments and provide visible reassurance."

Figures show 77 per cent of the survey's 800 respondents said they had full trust or quite a lot of trust in Bay of Plenty police, with 95 per cent saying they had full trust, quite a lot of trust or some trust.

Just 5 per cent of respondents said they had not much or no trust and confidence in Bay of Plenty police.

A higher number of people acknowledged police involvement in community activities than in previous years. At 78 per cent, it is significantly higher than the national average of 69 per cent. Mr McGregor said he was not surprised by the results, "as police experience every day the dedication and motivation of good people who come to work with the sole aim of helping others and making a difference.

"We always aspire to do better, so while we welcome these results we also recognise areas where we can improve and try to exceed expectations."

The independent survey asked people their views about police, feelings of safety and what their service experience was like if they recently had contact with police.

Nationally, the figures show trust and confidence in police remain high.

"At 78 per cent, New Zealand Police's overall trust and confidence rating would be the envy of many overseas police organisations," Acting Deputy Commissioner Grant Nicholls said.

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Level of trust and confidence in police Bay of Plenty district

2011/2012
*Full trust and confidence: 30 per cent
*Quite a lot: 47 per cent
*Some trust and confidence: 18 per cent
*Not much: 4 per cent
*No trust and confidence: 1 per cent
*Don't know: 0 per cent

2012/2013:
*Full trust and confidence: 33 per cent
*Quite a lot: 45 per cent
*Some trust and confidence: 16 per cent
*Not much: 3 per cent
*No trust and confidence: 2 per cent
*Don't know: 1 per cent

2013/2014:
*Full trust and confidence: 32 per cent
*Quite a lot: 45 per cent
*Some trust and confidence: 18 per cent
*Not much: 4 per cent
*No trust and confidence: 1 per cent
*Don't know: 0 per cent