Multicultural neighbourhoods most positive about police performance

Residents of multicultural neighbourhoods are relatively positive about police performance. More often than native Dutch residents, they think that the police provide them protection, communicate with them and in general respond efficiently to problems occurring in their neighbourhood.

Dutch in general not positive about police performance

A majority of Dutch are not enthusiastic about police performance in their neighbourhood. Only one in three think the police provide them protection. An equally large ratio think the police are doing what they can and respond to neighbourhood-related problems. Fewer than 20 percent of residents say that the police have communicate with the residents and perform efficiently. Fewer than half of Dutch have the feeling they are being taken seriously.

People’s opinions on police performance in their own neighbourhood, 2009

People in major cities most contented with police performance

In highly urbanised areas people are generally most satisfied with police performance. These residents more often think that the police are doing their best in providing them protection than residents of neighbourhoods where with a lower degree of urbanisation, although the latter also think they are being taken as seriously as residents living in highly urbanised areas.

Neighbourhoods with high rates of foreigners relatively satisfied with police performance

Neighbourhoods with many residents with a non-western background evaluate police performance as more positive than predominantly native Dutch neighbourhoods. In neighbourhoods, for example, with a very high degree of urbanisation and a very high proportion of people with a non-western background, 44 percent of residents report the police offer them protection versus 36 percent in neighbourhoods with a very high degree of urbanisation and many residents with native Dutch backgrounds.

Residents of neighbourhoods where many people have a non-western background more often think the police do their best, approach problems efficiently and respond to incidents that occur in the neighbourhood. Police performance in these neighbourhoods is rated 10 percentage points higher than in neighbourhoods dominated by a native Dutch population. Residents with a non-western background as well as those with a native Dutch background are more positive, if they live in a multicultural area. Native Dutch residents have the feeling they are being taken as seriously as residents with a non-western background.

Residents’ opinions on police performance in their neighbourhoods in very highly urbanised areas broken down by share of residents with a non-western background, 2009

Carin Reep