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Britons most worried by crime and government is least trusted to
deal with it
PEOPLE in
Britain are more worried about crime and violence than other major
countries in Europe and the US , according to an international
survey by the Ipsos MORI International Social Trends Unit. The
quarterly study by the International Social Trends Monitor shows
that over 2 in 5 British people find crime and violence one of the
most worrying issues (43%), double the level in Germany (21%). Even
Americans are far less concerned (27%).
But the most worrying finding for the Government is that, compared
with other countries measured, British people have the lowest
confidence in their government when it comes to crime. While less
than a 3rd of people in Britain believe Labour is capable of
cracking down on crime, confidence runs much higher in countries
like Germany and Italy, where around half of people feel their
government is capable (57% and 48% respectively).
Since Labour came into power, confidence in the government's policy
on crime has mostly been in decline. In mid-1997, 68% of people
believed the government could reduce crime, but by 2002, the
proportion had more than halved (30%). Since then, Labour has not
improved their ratings, despite a significant focus on crime and
policing.
Bobby Duffy, of the Ipsos MORI International Social Trends Unit,
said:- "This major new study shows just how much of a
challenge the British government faces in convincing people they can
deal with crime and violence. Concern has been highest and
confidence in the government lowest in Britain for many months, and
there is no sign of this changing. And this is vitally important to
overall government ratings – the trends show that competence in
dealing with crime is one of the main things the government is
judged on."
Technical details...
This quarterly study is carried out simultaneously in the US and the
five biggest countries in the European Union: Germany , Spain ,
France , Italy and Great Britain . Interviews are conducted by
telephone using CATI (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing)
among a representative sample of adults aged 18 years or more in
each country. Data are weighted to reflect the known profile of each
country's population.
In September 2006, Ipsos MORI interviewed a total of 5,970
interviews across the sample countries. The fieldwork dates and
interview numbers were as follows:-
France(1,006): 25-27 September;
Germany(1,000): 22-30 September; Italy(962): 22-29 September;
Spain(1,000): 22-28 September; USA(1,000): 22-26 September; Great
Britain(1,002): 22 September 2006 to1 October 2006. |
Time called on underage home drinks delivery
AN UNDERCOVER
investigation by trading standards officers has revealed that
underage drinkers are getting alcohol delivered direct to their
homes. In the first investigation of its kind in the North
West, Liverpool City Council's trading standards team targeted the
growing number of home alcohol delivery services to see if they
would sell to children under 18.
Out of 7 businesses targeted, 5 delivered alcoholic drinks to 15 and
16 year old girls who were posing as customers. They didn't ask for
any identification to check they were over the age of 18 and then
didn't ask if there were any adults in the house with them.
One seller also gave the girls a free gift which included sweets,
crisps, smoking paraphernalia including lighters, giant rizzlas and
reefer cigarette tips with 'Cannabis' emblazoned on them, and a
condom.
Liverpool City Council's executive member for community safety,
Councillor Dave Antrobus, said:- "These results are very
disturbing as they show just how easy it is for young people to get
hold of alcohol. When parents go out, the last thing they want
to come home to is children who have been drinking after
irresponsible traders deliver alcohol to them. It's even more
worrying that one of the sellers was giving out so called 'goody
bags' encouraging smoking and, as one of the girls was only 15,
underage sex. These reckless firms could now lose their
license. Our trading standards department will be asking the
Licensing Committee to review the seller's licenses and consider
what action can be taken."
The 5 sellers, who are based in the north-east of the city, now face
licence reviews and also possible prosecution. They can be fined up
to £5,000 if convicted of offences under the Licensing Act.
Trading standards manager, Allan Auty, was involved in the
undercover investigations. He said:- "These undercover will
continue in the future to send the message to traders that we will
not tolerate this activity in Liverpool. Trading by these home
delivery off-licences is wide open to abuse. Everyone knows that
kids will try and buy alcohol so it's important that our team does
everything it can to make sure businesses are acting legally."
Anyone with concerns about home delivery of alcohol can call the
city council's consumer advice line on 0151 233 3002.
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