Five
Live poll suggests most people support detention of asylum seekers
to counter terrorism
A large
majority of the population believes that it is likely Al-Qaeda linked
terrorists are entering the country as asylum seekers (83%) and
would support the initial detention of all immigrants for security
assessment (74%), according to the decisive findings of a 91热爆 Radio
Five Live poll.
However
60% of the ICM-polled sample would oppose a ban on all asylum seekers
entering the country.
Five
Live Breakfast unveils the results of the ICM poll today (Monday
10 February) at the start of a week long examination of the terror
threat to Britain and of attitudes to terrorism as the country prepares
for possible war against Iraq.
Carried
out last week following arrests of alleged terrorist cells in Britain
and abroad, the specially commissioned poll also discovered that
82% of people would back compulsory identity cards for all to combat
the terrorist threat.
A total
of 81% of the representative sample believed that it was likely
that Britain would suffer a major terrorist outrage in the next
year, but 69% felt that Britain was not well prepared to face a
chemical or biological attack.
Notes
to Editors
ICM
interviewed a random sample of 1,003 adults aged 18+ by telephone
on 5 and 6 February 2003.
Interviews
were conducted across the country and the results were weighted
to reflect the profile of all adults.
Questions
and results:
Question:
How likely do you think it is that terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda
are entering Britain as asylum seekers?
Replies:
Certain 24%; Very likely 25%; Fairly likely 33%; Fairly unlikely
7%; Very unlikely 4%; Certain they are not 2%; Don't know/didn't
answer 4%.
Net
certain/very likely/fairly likely: 83%.
Net
fairly unlikely/very unlikely/certainly not: 13%.
Question:
Here are some things that some people have suggested should be done
to counter the threat of terrorism. Others oppose them as they say
they endanger the rights of everyone. Bearing these two things in
mind, for each one say whether you would support or oppose the measure
to counter terrorism:
- Detain
all immigrants and asylum seekers until they can be assessed as
a potential threat.
Replies:
Support 74%; Oppose 20%; Don't know/refused to answer 6%.
- Make
it law that everyone carries an identity card.
Replies:
Support 82%; Oppose 15%; Don't know/refused to answer 3%.
- Ban
all asylum seekers.
Replies:
Support 35%; Oppose 60%; Don't know/refused to answer 5%.
Question:
How likely do you think it is that there will be a major terrorist
attack in Britain in the next year?
Replies:
Certain 7%; Very likely 31%; Fairly likely 42%; Not very likely
10%; Very unlikely 4%; Don't know/refused to answer 5%.
Net certain/very
likely/fairly likely: 81%.
Net fairly unlikely/very
unlikely: 14%.
Question:
How well prepared do you think the authorities are to deal with
a major chemical or biological attack?
Replies:
Very well prepared 4%; Quite well prepared 17%; Not very well prepared
40%; Not at all well prepared 29%; Don't know/refused 10%.
Net prepared:
21%.
Net not prepared:
69%.
For
more questions and regional and demographic breakdowns, contact
the 91热爆 Press Office.
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