Majority of Britons think crime is a big problem with 6 in 10 Britons believing it has risen over the past year

• 79% of Britons believe that crime and anti-social behaviour are a big problem in the UK
• 61% believe that crime has risen in the past 12 months
• The public cite more police on the beat, better parenting, and longer prison sentences as the things that will do the most to reduce crime

New polling from Ipsos has found that a substantial majority of Britons (79%) believe that crime is a big problem in the UK. Despite a downward trend in crime in England and Wales since the mid-90s, 6 in 10 (61%) believe that crime in the UK has risen over the past 12 months. 

People are slightly more optimistic about crime and anti-social in their own area (41% think it is a big problem locally) compared to the UK as a whole. However, 43% say they are personally worried about a victim of crime. Concern is highest among those aged 18-34 (56%), and ethnic minorities (61%). 

When asked what they believe would do the most to reduce crime in the UK, having more police on the beat (44%) is the top factor. This is followed by better parenting (35%) and longer prison sentences for offenders/no early release (30%). In addition, two thirds (66%) think an increased presence of uniformed police officers in their local area would be effective at tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. However, two thirds (67%) say they rarely or never see uniformed police officers patrolling their local area. 

There are variations according to party support. 58% of Conservative supporters believe that more police on the beat would reduce crime, versus 41% of Labour supporters. Conservative voters are also more likely to believe that longer prison sentences for offenders/no early release (41%) and better parenting (40%) would bring down levels of crime. Alternatively, Labour supporters see preventative measures as more important. A third (33%) think constructive activities for young people (33%) would do the most to reduce crime in the UK, while 30% think better drug and alcohol addiction support and 29% think more investment in mental health services (29%) would reduce crime.

According to the Ipsos election campaign tracker, crime and anti-social behaviour ranks 6th on the list of issues concerning the country, with 33% of Britons saying that it will be very important in helping decide who they vote for in the upcoming election.

Commenting on the findings, Hannah Shrimpton, Head of Crime, Justice and Security at Ipsos, said:
 

This poll chimes with our campaign tracker showing that crime and anti-social behaviour is looming increasingly larger in people’s minds as the election approaches. People are concerned about crime; most rarely or never say they see uniformed police in their local area and currently don’t feel confident law enforcement agencies are tackling it in the UK. A greater local police presence is seen as key to reducing crime, which suggests the focus of both Labour and the current Government on increasing neighbourhood policing numbers chimes with public sentiment. However, Labour supporters are more likely to think preventative policies such as more constructive activities for young people and investment in mental health and addiction services would reduce crime.

Technical Note

Ipsos interviewed a representative sample of 1,059 adults aged 18-75 across Great Britain. Polling was conducted online between 7-10 June 2024. Data are weighted to match the profile of the population. All polls are subject to a wide range of potential sources of error.