Westmeath Local Community Safety Partnership conducting ‘Feeling Safe Survey’
Westmeath Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP) is holding a ‘Feeling Safe Survey’ public consultation in February and March 2026 to gather information on how people who live and work in Westmeath feel about community safety.
Community safety is about people being and feeling safe in their communities. While Ireland is generally considered a safe country, some communities and individuals can experience different challenges.
The Westmeath LCSP is now working to develop a three‑year community safety plan that reflects the priorities identified by local people through public consultation. The plan will coordinate the work of multiple agencies to address the safety concerns raised by the community.
LCSPs have been set up in every local authority area by the minister for justice, home affairs and migration. Their purpose is to improve safety and wellbeing by bringing residents, local authorities, state services, and community groups together to create and deliver local community safety plans.
Westmeath LCSP wants to hear from the people who live and work in the county about how safe they feel and what matters most to them. Their views will help shape the results of the survey, which will guide the development of a Westmeath community safety plan for 2026–2028.
By voicing local concerns and experiences, the community help identify the issues that need attention and the actions that should be included in the final Westmeath plan.
The Westmeath local community safety plan intends to.
• understand what community safety issues matter most to people living and working in Westmeath communities
• listen to local experiences so we can recognise both the challenges and the strengths that help keep people safe
• bring services and organisations together so they can work in a more joined‑up way
• build stronger connections between residents, community groups, and local agencies
• support positive, practical actions that help people early and prevent problems
The community safety ‘Feeling Safe Survey’ online survey is open until March 31 at westmeathcoco.ie/en/ourservices/communitysafetypartnership.
Paper copies of the questionnaire will be made available at libraries and council offices throughout the county or by contacting the Westmeath Local Community Safety Office (contact details below).
Westmeath LCSP Public Consultation meetings are on:
Thursday March 5, Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar, 10.30am-12.30pm and 7-9pm;
Tuesday March 10, Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone, 10.30am-12.30 and 7-9pm;
Wednesday March 11, Kilbeggan 7-9pm, venue TBC;
Monday March 23, Castle Varagh Hotel, Castlepollard, 7-9pm;
Wednesday March 25, Kinnegad Library, 7-9pm;
Tuesday March 31, Moate, 7-9pm, venue TBC.
To register to attend in person consultation meetings, or request a paper copy of online survey or for more information on the Westmeath Local Community Safety Partnership or the ‘Feeling Safe Survey’, please contact Brigid Geoghegan or Andrew Slevin at Westmeath Local Community Safety Partnership, 044 9332114 or by email LCSP@westmeathcoco.ie.