Press Release – Lights Under a Bushel?

A major new research report, Lights Under a Bushel? Visibility Research for Police Scotland, has highlighted the changing nature of police visibility and the growing importance of how communities experience policing in both physical and digital spaces.

Published by Professor Karen McArdle (University of Aberdeen), Kirsty Forrester (Dundee City Council), and Dr Alan Mackie (University of Dundee), the study draws on evidence from ten focus groups involving 95 participants across Fife, Tayside and Angus, capturing the views of people from a wide range of backgrounds.

The report finds that while visible police presence remains strongly associated with reassurance, trust and community confidence, public expectations of policing have evolved. Visibility today is no longer limited to officers on foot patrol, but also includes engagement through marked vehicles, local facilities, online communication and meaningful day-to-day interaction.

Professor Karen McArdle said:

“The Visibility of Policing in the Community report is called, ‘Lights Under a Bushel’, because policing today is so complex and the demands of communication for different communities sometimes goes unacknowledged. Police visibility in the modern era extends beyond the traditional image of officers on foot patrol…”

The research highlights strong public support for neighbourhood policing models that prioritise accessibility, prevention and relationship-building. Participants consistently linked visible, familiar officers with feelings of safety and stronger trust in local policing.

The report also identifies important differences in how visibility is understood across communities. Rural residents often reported feeling overlooked, while younger participants stressed that respectful treatment and fairness were as important as physical presence.

Lights Under a Bushel? Visibility Research for Police Scotland was funded by the Scottish Institute for Police Research (SIPR)

Please read full report here:https://bit.ly/4tyVI3f

Please read Briefing Summary here:https://bit.ly/4nqh0ig