Britain tops poll for anti-social behaviour

Britain has the biggest problems with anti-social behaviour in Europe, according to new research published today.

The study, conducted by security firm ADT in conjunction with the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science at University College London, questioned over 7,000 people in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands about the problem of anti-social behaviour in their countries.

The survey found that 83% of Britons surveyed believed that there was a growing problem with anti-social behaviour in the country.

This view was reflected in the other countries participating in the survey, with 76% of respondents saying that Britain had a problem with anti-social behaviour. This was followed by France (75%) and Germany with 61%.

Three-quarters of those questioned said that young people aged between 14 and 25 were most associated with anti-social behaviour.

'Booze culture' was seen as fuelling the problem in Britain, with 68% of people saying that they felt alcohol was a key contributor to the problem of anti-social behaviour.

Seventy-nine per cent also cited a breakdown of discipline in homes and schools as a factor.

The survey also found that six out of ten people would be unwilling to challenge a group of 14-year-old boys vandalising a bus shelter.

Nearly half of those questioned (49%) believed that stricter sentencing would help to reduce the problem.

Professor Gloria Laycock of the Jill Dando Institute said that the research was a "wake-up call". She said: "We know anti-social behaviour is a major issue in the UK and the rest of Europe clearly agrees. The study shows people believe it is fuelled by the excessive consumption of alcohol. Increasing our access to alcohol cannot be the answer and it is time that the government addressed perceptions of this problem."

Adrian Casey, Managing Director of ADT Europe & South Africa, commented: "These perceptions, both inside and outside of Britain, are worrying. Government and policy makers may challenge them with statistics on crime and disorder, but as a nation we don't believe this situation is under control. We have to seriously ask what sort of reception our fans travelling to the football World Cup and Brits on holiday abroad will receive when the rest of Europe perceives us to have such a problem with troublemakers."

The survey, which was carried out in January, questioned 1,055 people in France, 1,061 in Germany, 1,748 in Britain, 1,060 in Italy, 1,061 in the Netherlands and 1,062 in Spain.

Respondents were aged between 16 and 64 in all countries except for Italy and Spain were they were aged between 16 and 54.

(KMcA)