StreetSafe: how we are using this data to inform our service

We are sharing our findings from StreetSafe responses for 2022/2023 and highlighting how this is being used to achieve our vision of making Lincolnshire the safest place to live, work and visit.

StreetSafe is an online tool for people to report where they feel unsafe because of the behaviour of other people or for environmental reasons. We use this data, along with partner agencies, to target activity and support improvements to neighbourhood policing. The initiative is part of the national response to tackle Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) although it’s open to anyone to use.  

Detective Superintendent Suzanne Davies, Force lead for VAWG, explained: “The Streetsafe data has helped our knowledge and understanding of what makes you feel unsafe in our county, and where the issues are.

“We have promoted StreetSafe, asking for your feedback, so it’s vital that we report back on the results of your submissions, and what we have done in response.  

“The data gathered has been mapped alongside reported incidents and we have worked with our partners to design out problems and focus on prevention and reassurance.

“If there is a location you don’t feel safe, for whatever reason, please continue to use StreetSafe to tell us. It’s anonymous, quick and simple to use, and now also available as an app for your mobile phone. Your feedback will help us direct our efforts in the right places."

Analysis of StreetSafe reports – 2022/2023

In the twelve months from April 2022 to March 2023 we recorded 621 StreetSafe reports submitted about places in Lincolnshire.

70% of all the reports were made by females with 23% by males and 7% stating they preferred not to say.

For each report submitted it is possible to add multiple concerns. Across the 621 submissions, a total of 1,960 concerns were reported. 76% of these related to the environment and 24% to behavioural concerns.

Of environmental concerns, the areas most highlighted were poor lighting (23%), signs of drug or alcohol use (21%) and absence of CCTV (17%). Poor street layout (11%), restricted visibility (8%) and empty buildings / isolated places (6%) were also noted.  

Of behavioural concerns the reasons most given were feeling like you are being followed (31%), verbal harassment by a group (27%), other forms of harassment (24%) and verbal harassment from a single stranger (16%).

In terms of submissions per district, Lincoln saw the highest returns with 145 reports followed by Boston (134), East Lindsey (113), West Lindsey (78), North Kesteven (54), South Holland (49) and South Kesteven (48). These figures may give some indication where people have concerns, although they may also reflect local promotion of StreetSafe.

You said, we did

Case study – Lincoln’s night time economy

Lincoln’s Chief Inspector Gareth Boxall is using the data to better understand the issues and target resources. He said, “StreetSafe data has helped inform dedicated patrols within the City Centre during weekend evenings and into the night. These dedicated patrols are there to tackle predatory behaviour towards women and girls as well as safeguard those most at risk during those hours. The information from StreetSafe helps us understand those areas where people feel most unsafe and helps us improve those feelings of safety as well as prevent crimes towards women and girls.”

Case study – Informing our coastal Summertime Policing Plan

Chief Inspector Lee St Quinton explains how the data has informed their response on the coast. He said, “The Summertime Policing plan looks to utilise additional policing resources to pro-actively target offences against women and girls. Through detailed data analysis of StreetSafe data and crime reports, we understand where our officers are best deployed to prevent offences and support those affected by such behaviour. This is a real success in empowering our frontline teams with a firm evidence base that puts them in the right place at the right time. Through visibility and early engagement, we will create a safe environment for women and girls to enjoy the Coast day and night.”

Case study – Hotspot identification in Boston

In Boston, Inspector Colin Clarkson is using StreetSafe reports to identify problem areas to be tackled in partnership. He said, “StreetSafe data has been an excellent tool in assisting to identify hotspot locations. It has been overlayed on top of crime data and where we see high harm and high volume crime and anti social behaviour, we see patterns of StreetSafe reporting too. This is then being used to feed into partner agencies to help prioritise areas for location based improvements as well as identifying patrol areas for policing staff.”

StreetSafe app

StreetSafe us now available as an app for your mobile phone downloadable via the Apple App and Google Play stores.

You can use StreetSafe online or download the App from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.