NCJ Number
173655
Date Published
1998
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This survey of public attitudes toward drug-related crime, conducted in England in February 1997 based on a random sample of 1,585 persons aged 16 years of age and older, found levels of public concern about local drug-related crime were slightly higher in 1997 than in 1996.
Abstract
For example, the number of persons who thought stealing to pay for drugs was a big problem in their local areas increased from 28 percent to 33 percent. Those in the northern part of the country were more concerned about local drug-related crime and had become more concerned since 1996 than those in the southern part of the country. Drug-related crime was seen as more of a problem in working-class neighborhoods than in better off areas. Drug-related crime and drug misuse were considered to be more of a national than a local problem. More persons said car theft and burglary were more significant problems than drug-related crime. Drugs were viewed as the main cause of crime by more persons than any other factor except poor parental discipline. Nearly 5 percent of respondents believed they had been victims of drug-related crime during the previous 2 years. 3 figures