New poll shows 4 in 5 Brits think crime has worsened over past decade

A poll commissioned for ’s Lawless Britain season has found that the majority of Brits feel crime is out of control, with the police nowhere to be seen.

The survey, conducted as part of the station’s week of special programming on , found that:

• 80% of Brits believe crime has increased over the past decade
• 1 in 5 feel unsafe in their own community
• only 14% of people have confidence in the police
• 82% of people support police carrying tasers
• 71% of people surveyed want mandatory sentencing for knife crime
• 54% of people across all age groups want the death penalty to return

While the majority of the public (82%) support the police carrying tasers as well as batons, it was found that more than half of those polled were opposed to them carrying guns.

The poll also sought views on sentencing and the justice system. When asked if individuals caught with knives should be sent to prison, 71% of those surveyed believed they should.

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ITN News boss Ian Rumsey said: “The results of this poll will no doubt resonate with our audience as we take a closer look at the findings on 5 News and across next week, with thought-provoking discussion and reporting, that tackles the issue of crime in modern Britain.”

C5 chief content officer Ben Frow said: “This season isn’t just about television, it’s about confronting the questions the public are already asking. People are worried. They feel let down. With Lawless Britain, we’re holding up a mirror to those concerns, and giving a platform to the stories and experiences that too often go unheard. At 5, we’re proud to reflect real Britain and spark meaningful national conversations.”

The week-long Lawless Britain season comprises special reports on 5 News and a host of debates on , Storm Huntley with Matt Allwright and Vanessa. The programming will see crime and punishment at the forefront of the channel’s output and also include documentaries plus a one-off drama.

Sentencing and the justice system is explored by in You Be the Judge: Crime & Punishment tonight (TUES) while Dan Walker explores the death penalty in his documentary on Death Row tomorrow (WEDS).

The poll of 2009 British adults, conducted last month for Channel 5 and 5 News, was conducted by More in Common for Lawless Britain week which asks whether Britain really is in danger of losing the war on crime.

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