New analysis shows huge variations in terms of how people perceive anti-social behaviour across the country – and that perceptions are most related to how deprived and densely populated areas are, how many residents are aged under 25 and the actual incidence of violent crime locally.
This largest ever survey on the subject (which involved over 500,000 interviews) allows us to look separately at the level of concern about anti-social behaviour in each individual local council area – and shows that some residents perceive more problems with anti-social behaviour than we would expect, considering the area they live in, whilst others are less concerned than we would predict.
In particular, residents in London and the South East perceive anti-social behaviour to be more of a problem than we would expect according to area characteristics, whilst those in the West Midlands and North West are less concerned than we would predict. Despite being termed the country’s ‘ASBO capital’, those living in Manchester perceive anti-social behaviour to be less of a problem than those living in Brighton and Hove or Torbay. However the findings do highlight the success of the Government’s 40 Respect Areas, showing that these areas are significantly more likely to record lower than predicted anti-social behaviour ratings.
So how are some areas managing levels of concern better than others?
Views are strongly influenced by what you believe is being done locally to tackle anti-social behaviour – and there does seem to be significantly better than expected perceptions in local areas that have been the focus for government attention. Local authorities that keep their residents informed and updated on efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour will have happier and less fearful residents.
Ipsos MORI are presenting these findings and debating the issues raised in a one-off evening seminar at 6pm on 7th June. Louise Casey, Government’s Coordinator for Respect, Ben Page, Chair of Ipsos MORI Social Research Institute and Irene Lucas, Chief Executive of South Tyneside Council will present to and discuss with an audience of local and national stakeholders what drives the public perceptions of Anti-Social Behaviour.
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