Issues Index: Concern about crime reaches a seven year high
The April 2018 Ipsos Issues Index reveals a sharp rise in concern about crime, with 23% of the public citing it as a big issue for the country
- NHS (46%) and Brexit (41%) retain their position as the biggest issues facing Britain, although concern about Brexit has fallen significantly since March
- Crime rises eight percentage points to 23%, the highest score since November 2011
- Crime is also the top issue in London (36%), alongside Brexit (36%) and the NHS (39%)
The April 2018 Issues Index reveals a sharp increase in the proportion of the public who see crime as a significant issue for the country. Nearly one quarter (23%) of the public name is as a concern, the highest score for this worry since November 2011 and an increase of eight percentage points since last month.
The NHS and Brexit remain the two biggest issues facing the country on 46% and 41% respectively. The proportion naming Brexit has fallen by six percentage points since March, although the proportion naming these issues has fallen since February, when both were cited by half of the public. Brexit is still the single biggest issue facing the country however, with twice as many naming it as the NHS (26% to 13%)
There are a number of demographic hotspots driving the rise in concern about crime this month. Conservative supporters (29%), social tenants (33%) and people aged 65 and above (31%) are all significantly more likely than the average to name it as a concern.
However, the strongest concern is among London residents; here just under four in ten name crime as a big issue for the country (36%). This score is the same as the proportion who consider Brexit to be a big issue (also 36%), and very close to the proportion who are worried about the NHS (39%), making the three issues the joint-top issues for London this month.
Technical note
Ipsos's Issues Index is conducted monthly and provides an overview of the key issues concerning the country. Ipsos interviewed a representative quota sample of 1,001 adults aged 18+ across Great Britain. The answers are spontaneous responses, and participants are not prompted with any answers.
Ipsos's “Capibus” vehicle was used for this survey. Interviews were conducted face-to-face in-home between 6 and 24 April 2018 at 194 sampling points across Great Britain. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population.