Post by judith on Jul 28, 2013 19:05:19 GMT 1
I don't live in the UK and haven't for a long time, so how do those of you living there feel? Have you seen a drop in local crime where you live or do you feel safer? It would be interesting to get some feedback from those on the ground so to speak.
I certainly don't believe statistics produced by the government either because I see how those in education are massaged, but as far as crime is concerned here "on the ground," the following has happened to people I know in the past few months. One friend had her car stolen from her drive while she slept, another friend's son and his mates were mugged in Macdonalds and had their phones and wallets taken, and the local optician's window was smashed in the night and all the designer glasses stolen. I guess in the bigger picture of things these are what you might call petty crimes that we just live with every day, (especially in the London area), and I think they are probably committed by those "have nots" who see these goods as easy pickings. I am not sure there is much that can be done about that sort of thing.
As a general rule, however, I do feel safer than before as regards violent crimes, maybe due to the presence of cctv cameras and the rapid response of security staff when an incident occurs. I also feel the public is much better informed with notices and announcements about ways to protect themselves and their belongings.
As an aside, we were in Dijon on Friday and were discussing this very issue. There were undesirables in many of the streets, beggars in the cathedral doorway and hoody youths flying past on bikes as we came out of shops putting our purchases and money away. Luckily we are used to being in self preservation mode, but it was a shame that on holiday one had to be on one's toes like at home.
