Summary
Key Issues: Crime, Domestic abuse, Housing & fuel poverty.
Feeling safe and secure is essential to wellbeing. Priorities around community safety raised by local people include reducing and supporting victim-based crime, tackling all aspects of domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour, alcohol and drugs and serious organised crime. Alongside this, wider determinants such as the level of fuel poverty and homelessness in Staffordshire give an indication on how quality of life for residents in Staffordshire can be improved.
Overview of key trends:
Key headlines:
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, recorded crime reduced by 15% locally, with rates well below national and regional levels.
- Although overall crime has decreased, domestic abuse related crime remains static (+2%).
- Domestic abuse referrals to providers has increased (+25%) significantly through the pandemic. Demand for mental health support is high, with just over half receiving this.
- Overall rates of anti-social behaviour are just below national, with more than a third of all ASB (37%) related to COVID-19 measures.
- Fuel poverty increased and higher than national, with Staffordshire Warmer Homes Fund supporting over 250 homes by end of June 2021.
- Reduced number of households homeless/at risk of becoming homeless, however higher than average (50%) proportion in priority need.
- Local surveys highlight other important aspects to living in Staffordshire; fostering community spirit experienced during the pandemic is important to many, as well as valuing the local environment and Staffordshire’s green spaces.
To view the latest Data Update on this topic see the data update page.