The biggest local issues worrying Brits right now – including high crime and declining high streets

A new poll from Ipsos in the UK, in partnership with the Sunday Times, reveals that while 87% of Britons are concerned about crime and anti-social behaviour across the UK.

This figure reduces to four in ten (40%) when asked about their local areas. The survey also highlights the challenges facing local high streets, with high prices in shops (84%) and the decline of high streets more generally (79%) emerging as key issues.

Perception of rising crime

87% of Britons believe that crime and anti-social behaviour is a “big problem” in the UK as a whole, up from 79% in June. However, this reduces to four in ten (40%) who feel this way about their local area (slightly up from 37% in June).

Two-thirds (67%, up from 58% in June) of Britons think crime has increased in the UK as a whole over the past twelve months. However, once again, this reduces to 39% who feel this way about their local area (up from 32% in June).

A majority (78%) of those who think crime has gone up in the UK in the past year say they think this because of things they’ve seen on the news (up from 68% in June). This is followed by things they have seen on social media (50%), and seeing more anti-social behaviour in their local area (46%).

Declining high streets

84% of Britons are worried about high prices of goods in shops in their local area. Other key concerns are the decline of local high streets (79%), and littering/fly tipping (72%).

64% say they are concerned about crime and violence, while 59% say they are concerned about pollution and 55% say they are concerned about immigration.

54% of Britons visit their local high street or shopping area at least once a week. Top barriers to visiting their local high street of shopping area are not having enough shops that interest them (36%) and having too many empty shops (28%).

• When asked about their local high street, 65% say there aren’t enough good quality shopping options generally.
• 68% say there are too many vape shops
• 62% say there are not enough independently run shops
• 58% say there are too many barber shops
• 50% say there are too many nail bars
• 42% say there are too many charity shops
• 25% say there are too many mini marts, with half (49%) saying there are about the right amount.

Now read: UK’s sense of division reaches a new high: poll