Latest news with #Zencity
The Guardian
2 days ago
- The Guardian
Most women in England and Wales report abusive behaviour to them or others, poll finds
A majority of women have direct experience of violence or harassment, or know someone who has suffered it in the last year, a poll has found. The poll finds little faith in police or government to stem the tide of male violence, and most believe the problem has got worse. The survey was presented to a private meeting attended by police chiefs and police and crime commissioners just under three weeks ago. It was conducted by Zencity and based on almost 1,800 female respondents aged over 16 across England and Wales. The large scale and high frequency of violence against and harassment of women is something law enforcement and the government are trying to get a grip on. Women were asked: 'In the last 12 months, have any of the following behaviours happened to a woman/girl that you personally know … or have you heard or seen them happening to any woman/girl … (in your daily life) … domestic abuse, sexual harassment, sexual violence, stalking, taking/sharing intimate images without consent.' Of women surveyed, 69% said they have first or secondhand experience of women being ill treated within the last 12 months. That includes a majority, 55%, of women aged 55 and over. For women aged 16-34 the figure was 74%, and similar for those aged 35 to 54. Three out of four women surveyed said violence and harassment was a serious problem, and asked whether it had got worse in the last five years, 42% agreed, 28% disagreed and 30% thought it was the same. Those who argue the system is failing have battled for years to have the issue taken seriously. A watershed occurred after a Metropolitan police officer kidnapped and murdered Sarah Everard in March 2021 and then Met officer David Carrick was unveiled as a serial sexual offender after the force missed repeated chances to identify him as a threat to women. The poll found that four out of 10 women do not believe police treat violence and harassment of women seriously, and 16% disagree. Asked about confidence in key institutions to keep them safe, that is police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts and local councils, confidence in police was 34%, and lower for courts and prosecutors at three out of 10, and lower still for councils. The new police national lead on violence against woman and girls (VAWG), Helen Millichap, said: 'We need to keep these issues at the top of the agenda, and the societal outrage we see in response to these crimes needs to remain. We need to challenge misogynistic views that only serve to drive these crimes. 'Policing has a role to play, and we are up for the challenge, but we are only one part of a wider system that must play their part. 'What I want, is to show the public that progress is happening and for them to be confident that it is happening everywhere.' Four out of 10 told the survey they would report online harassment, almost the same number said they would not, and more than one in 10 said they would not report a rape or assault by a partner. Police believe the extent of violence against women is under-reported and the survey said: 'The most common reasons for hesitation [in reporting] are the belief that the police wouldn't act (31%) or wouldn't believe them (25%). These concerns outweigh more practical barriers such as the process being too hard or slow (18%). This indicates that hesitation is driven more by distrust in the outcome than by the mechanics of reporting … Restoring trust that reports will be taken seriously and lead to action is essential to encouraging more women to come forward.'
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shoppers fearful of crime at retail locations
A recent nationwide survey by Flock Safety and Zencity reveals a significant shift in consumer behavior due to escalating concerns over organized retail crime. Approximately one-third of consumers see crime at retail locations as a serious issue, prompting many to alter their shopping habits. The survey highlights that 58% of shoppers now prefer online shopping to avoid potential in-store crime incidents. Furthermore, among those who have witnessed retail crime firsthand, 63% are more inclined to shop online, underscoring the direct impact of these experiences on consumer preferences. In response to rising theft, retailers have implemented measures such as locking merchandise, leading to longer wait times for customers. Notably, 51% of consumers report waiting over five minutes to access items in stores with locked merchandise, which may further deter in-store shopping. The survey also indicates strong public support for technology-driven security solutions. Over half of the respondents believe that license plate recognition cameras effectively deter retail theft, and 62% feel that recorded security video enhances store safety. This sentiment is particularly pronounced in major metropolitan areas, where 52% of consumers advocate for technological interventions to combat retail findings suggest that retailers that adopt advanced security technologies may not only reduce crime but also restore consumer confidence in the safety of in-store shopping. As Michael Simon, chief strategy officer at Zencity, observes, 'American consumers want to feel safe while shopping and are eager for retailers to adopt new technology to restore a safer, more welcoming, and more convenient shopping experience.' Cargo theft from U.S. Class I railroads exceeded $100 million in 2024, according to the Association of American Railroads. The industry is dealing with a 40% increase in thefts, with more than 65,000 reported incidents last year. Organized criminal groups are increasingly targeting freight shipments, and many suspects are armed, raising concerns about the safety of law enforcement. The AAR reports that fewer than 1 in 10 theft attempts result in an arrest, and many of those arrested are repeat offenders. One railroad even noted that a single individual was arrested 17 times. The industry is calling for tougher penalties for cargo theft, as well as more resources for federal prosecutors to combat the crime effectively. Additionally, the AAR is advocating for the passage of a bill introduced in 2024 by U.S. Reps. David Valadao and Brad Schneider, which would improve coordination between federal agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI to address supply chain theft. While the bill did not pass last year, the push for stronger legislation continues as freight theft remains a growing more about the rise of rail theft individuals have been charged as part of an international theft ring targeting cell phone shipments. Over the past year, an investigation led by Glen Rock Police, Homeland Security, the FBI and other agencies uncovered a scheme involving the theft of valuable electronic devices. The ring used automated scripts to scrape data from FedEx and a major U.S. cellular provider's tracking systems, while bribing employees to provide confidential customer information. This intelligence allowed the group to identify valuable packages and steal them during delivery. The thefts spanned multiple locations, including Glen Rock, New Jersey, and involved a multilayered operation, with dispatchers selling delivery information and runners stealing the packages. Those charged face multiple counts, including wire fraud and conspiracy to transport stolen goods. Learn more about the allegations here. Be part of the solution that stops freight fraud in its tracks. Let's cut through the noise and address this issue head-on! Freight fraud has reached a crisis level, and it impacts everyone in the industry. It's time for us to come together to address this critical problem and share best practices on how to mitigate it. Join us on May 14 in Dallas at the Freight Fraud Symposium where transportation executives, freight leaders and technology buyers will come together to discuss the issues we all face, share lessons learned and get insights on the latest technology to help us tackle this is limited, so register now to save your spot! Articles by Grace Sharkey Lawmakers look at expanding FMCSA's power to rein in cargo theft 3PL Summit: Truckstop reflects on 30 years of fighting freight fraud Cargo thefts surge 49%; driver training under Trump; up close with NASA crawler The post Shoppers fearful of crime at retail locations appeared first on FreightWaves.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Normal seen as ‘very positive place to live' after survey
NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — In an effort to get the opinion of the public, the town of Normal has received the results of their 2nd wave of community surveys. With the first surveys being sent out last year, the second round of surveys have produced results. There were 502 residents who responded to the survey, which Cathy Oloffson, director of communications for the town of Normal, said that even with 52,618 residents as of 2023, it's actually a good amount of participants. 'We partner with Zencity to do a scientific representative sample,' she said, 'and they've determined that getting at least 500 responses allows them to then rake weight the responses against our census data to make it representative of all of the communities.' Raking in a survey means pulling different describers such as age or gender to figure out and stabilize the results. So with 500 or more responses, the town can have accurate data. 'That means that people find the town a Normal a great community with wonderful quality of life to live in, and that they plan to stay,' she said, 'and that's what we want. We want our residents to want to continue to live here.' 50% of the people surveyed said the town 'exhibits transparency and accountability.' This is up 8% since the first survey went out. 'We attribute that increase to the fact that there's some seasonality and to the number of times that we're out in the community talking about the budget,' Oloffson said. 'But internally because of these results we've talked about how can we talk about the budget and be as transparent as possible with people throughout the year.' Zach Dietmeier, chief operating officer of the Bloomington-Normal Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, sees the survey results as highly favorable. 'The overall sentiment for living in Bloomington Normal is that it's a very positive place to live,' he said. Normal, along with their sister city Bloomington, hosts events all year that generate profit for both municipalities. Events in Normal include the IHSA State Championships for Football, along with the State Championships for Girls Basketball, which is upcoming in a few weeks, both held at Illinois State University. 'Our economic impact for the last year, the actual school academic year, was a little over $9 million for those events, and that's a pretty good bang for the buck with what we look for in those,' Dietmeier said. The surveys are sent out every six months. To see ongoing and completed projects, and to make your voice heard, click here for the Normal Forum. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
