Although The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that crime rates dropped by 10% in 2023, the National Crime & Community Survey conducted by Neighbourhood Watch and SimpliSafe Home Security found that 37% of the 28,909 British people surveyed experienced a crime in the last year, with 63% of those having experienced antisocial behaviour, followed by physical assault (25%).
58% of people who witnessed a crime over the past twelve months did not report it, with the main reason being they didn’t believe anything would be done – this behaviour was the most common among those from Birmingham (10%).
When looking at the data regionally, Londoners experienced the highest level of crime over the past twelve months (46%), with the North East not too far behind (44%). The South West experienced the least crime (71%), which ties with people in that region feeling the safest (81%). Those in the West Midlands, however, feel the most unsafe (37%).
John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network: “It 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 46% of people didn’t report a crime over the past twelve months according to the National Crime & Community Survey and 5% of those said it was because they were too scared to do so, so it’s 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.”
Read the survey here
