Public asked to help focus Manx police priorities

Eight priorties have been set out by the island's police force

People are being asked for their views on how safe they feel living on the Isle of Man and what the police's priorities should be.

A survey by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) asks residents to rank what the Isle of Man Constabulary's eight main priorities should be in order of importance.

The feedback on a range of issues, from tackling organised crime to reducing violence against women, would guide the police on "where to focus their resources", a government spokeswoman said.

Home Affairs Minister Jane Poole-Wilson said the constabulary "aim to keep our community safe, so it is only fitting that the community plays an active role in shaping their priorities".

The consultation said the constabulary had "limited funding and limited resources" and so prioritisation was required to "ensure the biggest impact can be made on the most important areas in order to keep our island safe".

It asks residents how safe they feel at home and across the island, and asks for information about which areas potentially feel unsafe.

It also looks at how success could be measured or benchmarked, such as comparisons to other islands or statistics including number of crimes per head of population.

Jane Poole-Wilson said the feedback would be used to shape the focus of the police

Other priorities listed for the force include tackling the exploitation of vulnerable people, preventing youth offending, and reducing the number of people killed and seriously injured on Manx roads.

The DHA said it would use the responses, consultation with the community safety partnership, and data from the force, along with feedback from public roadshows held in 2023, to shape the Isle of Man constabulary's' policies.

Ms Poole-Wilson said the department had "no intention of dictating tactics".

"We hope this feedback will help to focus the police on the main outcomes we collectively wish to achieve," she added.

The consultation is available online until 24 May.