While the UK’s official Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that crime rates dropped by 10pc in 2023, a National Crime & Community Survey by Neighbourhood Watch and SimpliSafe Home Security found that a good third, 37pc of Brits experienced a crime in the last year, with 63pc of those having experienced antisocial behaviour, followed by physical assault (25pc).
A majority, 58pc of people who witnessed a crime over the past 12 months did not report it, with the main reason being they didnโt believe anything would be done – this behaviour was the most common among Brummies (10pc). When looking at the data regionally, Londoners experienced the highest level of crime over the past 12 months (46pc), with Geordies not too far behind (44pc). The South West experienced the least crime (71pc), which ties with people in that region feeling the safest (81pc). Those in the West Midlands, however, feel the most unsafe (37pc).
Neighbourhood Watch has supported the Home Officeโs work this year in trialling new policing approaches to tackling antisocial behaviour across England. The findings of this survey highlight the need for further research into why antisocial behaviour remains a prevalent crime in the country. There is also a continued need for action to be taken to prevent incidents of antisocial behaviour in communities.
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network, a charity, said: โIt is clear from the findings of our survey that we must continue to prioritise sharing resources and raising awareness of antisocial behaviour, burglary and cybercrime. A staggering 46pc of people didnโt report a crime over the past 12 months according to the National Crime & Community Survey and 5pc of those said it was because they were too scared to do so, so itโs important to help empower people to take action to protect themselves and prevent these crimes from impacting them and their communities. Working collaboratively with other organisations will be essential to help reduce crimes such as ASB in communities, and increase feelings of safety and community wellbeing.โ
The charity says it continues to work hard to support its members with understanding how to respond to antisocial behaviour and harassment, either as a bystander or as a victim, and highlights the importance of being an active bystander. Through the personal safety charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust‘s โ5Dsโ training, which Neighbourhood Watch encourages volunteers to take, members receive guidance on how to safely and effectively intervene, document or support the victims of these crimes. Statistics from this survey show that more than half (56pc) of respondents have changed their behaviour after seeing crime prevention campaigns from Neighbourhood Watch, suggesting their guidance has had a positive impact, with people feeling equipped to take action or change their behaviours in the face of crime.
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