ianstone
07-13-2010, 07:16 AM
'Walk on by' Britons live in fear of louts - unlike the rest of Europe
By James Slack (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=James+Slack)
Last updated at 8:46 AM on 13th July 2010
Comments (51) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1294235/Walk-Britons-live-fear-louts--unlike-rest-Europe.html#comments)
Add to My Stories (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1294235/Walk-Britons-live-fear-louts--unlike-rest-Europe.html)
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/13/article-1294235-0034797600000258-29_233x423.jpg Fear of crime: High profile cases of violence such as the Damilola Taylor murder have reduced public willingness to tackle bad behaviour among the young
Britain has the some of the worst loutish behaviour in Europe and has become a 'walk on by' society in which the public refuses to confront troublemakers, a study warns today.
Researchers say this failure to intervene to stop bad behaviour by children is a 'particularly British phenomenon'.
A survey found 62 per cent of Britons would not feel confident stepping in to prevent a group of 14-year-olds vandalising a bus stop compared to 48 per cent across Western Europe as a whole.
Although 60 per cent of Germans said they would feel happy about intervening, only 30 per cent of Britons would be happy to do so.
The solution is to train park keepers, public transport workers, street cleaners, caretakers, and teachers so they are prepared to step in and stop unruly behaviour, the study by the RSA, formerly the Royal Society for the Arts, says.
Researchers blame the unwillingness to intervene on a 'loosening of social ties' caused by factors such as women going to work and increased immigration.
The report's author, Ben Rogers, also says many have become 'unsure of the rules' about admonishing other people's children.
And there has been an increase in the view that those who take a stand could face prosecution themselves.
But Mr Rogers believes the main reason has been the rise in the fear of crime and disorder itself - fuelled by a series of high-profile stabbings, such as the death of Damilola Taylor.
The study says: 'We are more fearful than we were that any intervention could result in us, our families or communities being attacked or otherwise victimised.'
The RSA, headed by former Downing Street adviser Matthew Taylor, uncovered research showing widespread fear of loutish behaviour in the UK.
It says that, based on a survey of the six biggest countries in Europe, the UK was seen to have the most serious problem with anti-social behaviour.
Only four countries had worse records for young people being involved in violence - Greece, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
More...
Broken Britain is in grip of £40bn organised crime wave... more than DOUBLE the police budget (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1294119/Broken-Britain-grip-40bn-organised-crime-wave--DOUBLE-police-budget.html)
New Children's Commissioner slapped down after claiming Bulger killers were too young to be prosecuted (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1257617/New-Childrens-Commissioner-slapped-claiming-Bulger-killers-young-prosecuted.html)
More than four in ten children reported being involved in physical fighting in the past year.
The researchers warn: 'Taken in isolation, name-calling, dumping waste or vandalism can seem petty, but cumulatively anti-social behaviour can destroy lives.'
The report says anti-social behaviour is fuelled by 'the easy availability of drink, drugs and porn', as well as a 'consumerist culture of celebrity and wealth' that is 'lowering horizons and coarsening relationships'.
Citizens who are trained to intervene must not be seen as ' vigilantes', it says. But they would be taught restraint techniques, self-protection and knowledge of when to call in the police.
They could also be offered financial incentives to take part.
There have been warnings by a number of experts, including the new Victims' Commissioner Louise Casey, that Britain is in danger of becoming a 'walk on by' society.
In a report ordered by the previous government, Miss Casey said people were terrified they would either be attacked or face arrest.
Last night, Policing Minister Nick Herbert said the Government could adopt the training idea.
'We will consider new ideas such as those being put forward in this report,' he said.
'We are determined to ensure that communities are given the power to deal with damaging and distressing behaviour which blights neighbourhoods and lives.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1294235/Walk-Britons-live-fear-louts--unlike-rest-Europe.html#ixzz0tYllHXNF
Many places even quiet areas fear this rising epidemic frightening.
Or is it , mind games to keep us where we belong etc.
By James Slack (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=James+Slack)
Last updated at 8:46 AM on 13th July 2010
Comments (51) (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1294235/Walk-Britons-live-fear-louts--unlike-rest-Europe.html#comments)
Add to My Stories (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1294235/Walk-Britons-live-fear-louts--unlike-rest-Europe.html)
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/07/13/article-1294235-0034797600000258-29_233x423.jpg Fear of crime: High profile cases of violence such as the Damilola Taylor murder have reduced public willingness to tackle bad behaviour among the young
Britain has the some of the worst loutish behaviour in Europe and has become a 'walk on by' society in which the public refuses to confront troublemakers, a study warns today.
Researchers say this failure to intervene to stop bad behaviour by children is a 'particularly British phenomenon'.
A survey found 62 per cent of Britons would not feel confident stepping in to prevent a group of 14-year-olds vandalising a bus stop compared to 48 per cent across Western Europe as a whole.
Although 60 per cent of Germans said they would feel happy about intervening, only 30 per cent of Britons would be happy to do so.
The solution is to train park keepers, public transport workers, street cleaners, caretakers, and teachers so they are prepared to step in and stop unruly behaviour, the study by the RSA, formerly the Royal Society for the Arts, says.
Researchers blame the unwillingness to intervene on a 'loosening of social ties' caused by factors such as women going to work and increased immigration.
The report's author, Ben Rogers, also says many have become 'unsure of the rules' about admonishing other people's children.
And there has been an increase in the view that those who take a stand could face prosecution themselves.
But Mr Rogers believes the main reason has been the rise in the fear of crime and disorder itself - fuelled by a series of high-profile stabbings, such as the death of Damilola Taylor.
The study says: 'We are more fearful than we were that any intervention could result in us, our families or communities being attacked or otherwise victimised.'
The RSA, headed by former Downing Street adviser Matthew Taylor, uncovered research showing widespread fear of loutish behaviour in the UK.
It says that, based on a survey of the six biggest countries in Europe, the UK was seen to have the most serious problem with anti-social behaviour.
Only four countries had worse records for young people being involved in violence - Greece, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Hungary.
More...
Broken Britain is in grip of £40bn organised crime wave... more than DOUBLE the police budget (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1294119/Broken-Britain-grip-40bn-organised-crime-wave--DOUBLE-police-budget.html)
New Children's Commissioner slapped down after claiming Bulger killers were too young to be prosecuted (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1257617/New-Childrens-Commissioner-slapped-claiming-Bulger-killers-young-prosecuted.html)
More than four in ten children reported being involved in physical fighting in the past year.
The researchers warn: 'Taken in isolation, name-calling, dumping waste or vandalism can seem petty, but cumulatively anti-social behaviour can destroy lives.'
The report says anti-social behaviour is fuelled by 'the easy availability of drink, drugs and porn', as well as a 'consumerist culture of celebrity and wealth' that is 'lowering horizons and coarsening relationships'.
Citizens who are trained to intervene must not be seen as ' vigilantes', it says. But they would be taught restraint techniques, self-protection and knowledge of when to call in the police.
They could also be offered financial incentives to take part.
There have been warnings by a number of experts, including the new Victims' Commissioner Louise Casey, that Britain is in danger of becoming a 'walk on by' society.
In a report ordered by the previous government, Miss Casey said people were terrified they would either be attacked or face arrest.
Last night, Policing Minister Nick Herbert said the Government could adopt the training idea.
'We will consider new ideas such as those being put forward in this report,' he said.
'We are determined to ensure that communities are given the power to deal with damaging and distressing behaviour which blights neighbourhoods and lives.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1294235/Walk-Britons-live-fear-louts--unlike-rest-Europe.html#ixzz0tYllHXNF
Many places even quiet areas fear this rising epidemic frightening.
Or is it , mind games to keep us where we belong etc.