FOI 233193

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST REFERENCE NO: 233193

 

I write in connection with your request for information which was received on 6^th March 2023.  Please find below the response to your request:

 

• I am seeking to identify the following; 

 

1. Does your force have a team dedicated to problem solving? 

1a. If yes, what type of problems do the team engage in. 

1b. If yes, How many problem solving profiles are the team currently working on? 

1c. If no, what mechanism does the constabulary use to identify and solve community problems? 

 

2. What (if any) models do the constabulary use to solve problems. 

 

3. Does the constabulary use make use of techniques that could be described synonymously as 'Behavioural Insights' or 'Nudge Theory'

3.a If yes what models are used under these titles. 

Reply

 

Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 places two duties on public authorities. Unless exemptions apply, the first duty at section 1 (1) (a) is to confirm or deny whether the information specified in a request is held. The second duty at section 1(1) (b) is to disclose information that has been confirmed as being held.

 

In respect of the first duty at section 1 (1) (a) I can confirm that West Mercia Police does hold information in respect of your request:

 

• I am seeking to identify the following; 

 

1. Does your force have a team dedicated to problem solving? 

1a. If yes, what type of problems do the team engage in. 

1b. If yes, How many problem solving profiles are the team currently working on? 

1c. If no, what mechanism does the constabulary use to identify and solve community problems? 

 

2. What (if any) models do the constabulary use to solve problems. 

 

3. Does the constabulary use make use of techniques that could be described synonymously as 'Behavioural Insights' or 'Nudge Theory'

3.a If yes what models are used under these titles. 

 

In respect of the second duty at section 1(1) (b) please see below:

 

• I am seeking to identify the following; 

 

1. Does your force have a team dedicated to problem solving? 
   • Yes.

 

1a. If yes, what type of problems do the team engage in. 

• Children and Young people, We Don’t Buy Crime (Acquisitive Crime) , Serious Violence, Citizens in Policing.

 

1b. If yes, How many problem solving profiles are the team currently working on? 

• There are currently 208 active Problem Solving plans across the Force area.

 

1c. If no, what mechanism does the constabulary use to identify and solve community problems? 

• As Above

 

2. What (if any) models do the constabulary use to solve problems. 

• The main Force methodology is SARA – Scanning, Analysis, Response and Assessment. 

 

3. Does the constabulary use make use of techniques that could be described synonymously as 'Behavioural Insights' or 'Nudge Theory'

Yes.

 

3.a If yes what models are used under these titles. 

• We don’t currently teach any Behaviour insight or Nudge theory models.  However, I understand some departments may be making use of BI.