Majority of neighbourhoods in Scotland feel safe

The Scottish Household Survey revealed that just over half of people (55 per cent) are satisfied with their area, compared to 49 per cent in 1999.

Compared with 1999, fewer people are noticing vandalism and graffiti. The last survey showed 18 per cent of people believing it to be common in their neighbourhood while this time the proportion was 11 per cent. Complaints of noisy neighbours and loud parties went up from eight per cent in 1999 to ten per cent today.

The vast majority of people also relay feelings of being safe and secure while out and about in their area after dark. Three-quarters of adults (76 per cent) feel very or fairly safe when walking alone in their area during nightfall and almost everyone (97 per cent) feel safe while alone at home at night.

The SNP's John Finnie MSP, who is on the Scottish Parliament's Justice Committee, said: "These results are encouraging and a testament to the SNP Government's continued commitment to improving local communities and building a better, safer Scotland.

"By putting over 1,000 additional police on the streets, cutting crime rates to the lowest level since the 1970s and by providing proper support for our young people through Cashback For Communities, we are seeing a marked improvement in neighbourhood safety across the country."

For more information
Web: http://scotland.gov.uk/