Increased Perception of Crime Shown in Report

Increased Perception of Crime Shown in Report - Nicholson

October 11, 2007 6:13 PM

A report on crime in the areas of Brixton, Clapham and Streatham by local Liberal Democrat campaigner, Chris Nicholson, has illustrated the heightened perception of crime among local residents.

The survey asked a range of questions relating to local residents' experience of crime and anti-social behaviour in their area. In total, 1010 people participated in the survey.

Chris Nicholson talks to a local policeman

The Liberal Democrats want to put more police on our streets

Chris Nicholson's report found that 63% of respondents thought that levels of crime were rising in their area. (2) And in total, 374 of those surveyed felt more at risk of being a victim of crime than in the previous year, while only 41 people felt less at risk. (3)

Other results showed that:

1 in 3 reported that someone had offered them drugs on the street (4)

6 out of 10 thought that more police officers were needed in their area (5)

Less than half said they felt safe when out after dark (6)

The findings reflect the Metropolitan Police's own figures which show that Lambeth, which includes the Streatham constituency, saw a 40% rise in the number of drug offences in the last year.

Speaking about the report, local campaigner Chris Nicholson said:

"It's clear that many local residents still encounter anti-social behaviour on a daily basis."

"Experiences such as being offered drugs on the street, or even just seeing the effects of vandalism, can all add up to make people fearful of crime in their area."

"Having been out on patrol with officers from Brixton police station just last week, I can appreciate the difficulty in stopping this sort of street crime which fuels people's anxieties."

"We need to tackle this problem from several angles, more police on our streets is a must, but we also need to tackle the chronic incidence of re-offending through better rehabilitation, especially when it comes to drugs."

NOTES

(1) The report can be found on this website at: http://www.streathamlibdems.org.uk/resources/index

(2) 625 people responded "yes" to the question: "Do you think levels of crime are rising in the area" out of the 999 who answered

(3) 978 people responded to the question: "Do you personally feel more or less at risk of crime than one year ago?" Where 374 answered "more at risk", 563 replied "the same", and 41 said they were "less at risk"

(4) To the question: "Have you been approached in the street by someone trying to sell drugs." 163 said "yes, often." 148 said "yes, rarely." And 638 said "no".

(5) 561 said no when asked "Do you think our local police force has enough police officers" out of 940 people who replied to this question.

(6) To the question: "Do you feel safe when you go out and about in the area after dark?" 45 said "very safe", 346 were "fairly safe", 289 were "not very safe", 112 were "very unsafe", 143 would "never go our after dark" while 5 were housebound.