IN BRIEF
PARTY MEMBERS Grass roots political party members have a significant role to play in a healthy democracy. A survey undertaken in mid- May 2015 of the members of the UK’s largest parties, Labour’s potential trade union-affiliated members and citizens who are not members of a party, will enable researchers to discover more about members’ social characteristics, attitudes, activities and their reasons for joining or leaving their party. ESRC grant number ES/M007537/1
CROSS COHORT STUDY Data from four cohort studies managed by the Centre for Longitudinal Studies (CLS) will form the basis of a new three-year research programme that aims to improve understanding of the inter-generational transmission of economic and health inequalities in the UK. Researchers will focus on two themes: healthy lifestyles across the life course and the processes and consequences of social mobility.
ESRC grant number ES/M008684/1
TYPHOON RELIEF How effective were relief efforts in building sustainable routes out of poverty following typhoon Yolanda’s devastation of the Philippines in 2013? Researchers aim to explore urban population risk, vulnerability to disasters and resilience in the aftermath of such shocks. Lessons learned will be highly relevant to post-disaster reconstruction efforts in low-income countries, specifically within densely populated urban areas. ESRC grant number ES/M008932/1
Mounted units boost public trust in policing
MOUNTED POLICE UNITS on neighbourhood patrols can boost levels of public confidence in the police, according to the first in-depth study of the use of horses in policing. While the number of mounted sections across England, Scotland and Wales fell from 17 in 2012 to 12 in 2014, a joint research project with support from the Association of Chief Police Officers finds clear evidence that mounted police units make a ‘demonstrable and measurable impact’.
During an 18-month study, researchers assessed the impact of mounted units in different roles. “We examined public reactions to mounted units on neighbourhood patrols, at a music festival, and at football matches and public demonstrations,” explains researcher Dr Chris Giacomantonio of RAND Europe. “While it’s often assumed that mounted police are primarily a resource for crowd control, in reality they spend more time and appear to have substantial value elsewhere, particularly in neighbourhood policing.”
Increased visibility of officers is
a primary benefit of using mounted units in neighbourhood patrols. In trials police on horseback generated around six times more public interest than foot patrols. “In community settings, the horse and rider combination appears to act as a sort of ambassador and ‘ice-breaker’ for the police,” says Principal Investigator
4 SOCIETY NOW SUMMER 2011 SUMMER 2015
Dr Ben Bradford. “People come up to make a fuss of the horse before having a quick conversation with the officer. Most people react positively to greater police visibility in their neighbourhood, and we believe this translated into higher levels of trust and confidence in the areas where there were mounted patrols.” Findings also highlight the unique role played by mounted units at crowd events where disorder is likely. “Police on horseback appear able to intervene when other resources, such as police on foot or in vehicles, would be ineffective or even risk aggravating the situation,” Dr Giacomantonio says. The study estimates that mounted
police cost approximately £6,550 a year more than other operational support roles such as dog or armed police units. Three mounted officers, it suggests, cost roughly as much as four neighbourhood officers. But in terms of overall UK police spending, mounted police expenditure represents only 0.0002 per cent of the total. Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables must decide whether to retain mounted units in times of fiscal austerity. “This research provides a solid evidence base to help inform their thinking,” says Dr Bradford. n
i
Contact Dr Ben Bradford, University of Oxford Email
ben.bradford@
crim.ox.ac.uk Telephone 01865 274444 ESRC Grant Number ES/L001918/1
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