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Press Releases London teenagers fear summer knife crime – ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ 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 ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ London suggests.

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

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

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

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

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

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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%.

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

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

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

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The survey results will be covered in full on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ London 94.9FM from 6am today and on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ London TV News at 6.30pm on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One.

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Notes to Editors

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

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

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

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BJO

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