91Èȱ¬

Press Releases London teenagers fear summer knife crime – 91Èȱ¬ London survey

Category: London
Date: 28.07.2008
Printable version

More than half the teenagers in the London boroughs most affected by knife crime fear for their safety over the summer holidays, a survey for 91Èȱ¬ London suggests.

Ìý

Fifty-five per cent of 13 to 18-year-olds contacted say they are "particularly concerned" about their safety over the summer months.

Ìý

And three-quarters disagree that attempts by the Government and London Mayor Boris Johnson to reduce teenage crime will succeed.

Ìý

The telephone poll by ComRes was conducted last week in the inner city boroughs of Brent, Croydon, Hackney, Lambeth and Southwark.

Ìý

It follows a similar poll in November last year – and suggests increasing concern about the threat of knife and gun crime in the capital.

Ìý

So far 21 teenagers have been murdered this year in London.

Ìý

Measures that have increased since the last survey include:

• 45% say that someone they know personally has been the victim of knife crime – up from 33% last year
• 19% feel the need to carry a weapon to feel safe, compared to 16% last year
• 67% are worried about others carrying a knife or gun – up from 62%
• 63% say the police are unable to protect them – up from 58%.

Ìý

The survey also suggests there is impatience at softer measures, such as better education in schools, being used to tackle the problem.

Ìý

This measure has declined in popularity as a means of reducing gun and knife crime, from 24% to 16%.

Ìý

By contrast, support for longer sentences for people caught carrying weapons has increased from 34% to 41%.

Ìý

The survey results will be covered in full on 91Èȱ¬ London 94.9FM from 6am today and on 91Èȱ¬ London TV News at 6.30pm on 91Èȱ¬ One.

Ìý

Notes to Editors

Ìý

ComRes telephoned 501 young people aged 13-18 in Brent, Croydon, Hackney, Lambeth and Southwark, between 21 and 23 July 2008.

Ìý

Data was weighted to be demographically representative of each borough surveyed.

Ìý

ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

Ìý

BJO

Ìý