England Riots Survey August 2011 Summary of findings
Demographics Gender: Region: Scotland: 8% 71% 29% Age: 16-24 4% 25-34 9% 35-44 20% 45-54 26% 55-64 28% 65+ 13% Northern Ireland: 1% North West: 13% Wales: 4% West Midlands: 7% South West of England: 8% Channel Islands: 0% North East: 4% Yorkshire: 9% East Midlands: 6% East of England: 9% London: 10% South East: 19%
Nearly 1 in 5 respondents lived less than 5 miles away from where rioting took place Which of the following best describes how close the riots were to where you live? 82% 2% 5% 11% Rioting occurred on my street / in my neighbourhood I live less than a mile away from where riots took place I live less than 5 miles away from where riots took place I live 5 miles or more away from where riots took place n=1918 3
17% of respondents worked less than 5 miles away from where riots took place Which of the following best describes how close the riots were to where you work? 49% 35% 2% 5% 9% Rioting occurred outside of where I work or at my place of work I work less than a mile away from where riots took place I work less than 5 miles away from where riots took place I work 5 miles or more away from where riots took place I am not currently employed n=1918 4
Most of those in employment found that their work routines were not affected, although 8% had to leave work earlier than normal Did any of the following happen to you as a result of the riots? Please tick all that apply 89% 8% 1% 1% 1% 4% I had to leave work I had to leave work I was unable to get I was unable to go I had to find a None of the above earlier than normal later than normal to work on time to work at all different route to or from work n=1252 (each column) 5
Personal concern for safety was mixed: nearly one third said that they were somewhat or extremely concerned; but over a third were not concerned at all How concerned were you personally about your own safety and the safety of your friends and family during the riots? Those living or working closer to where the riots took place were more likely to say that they were concerned than those living further away. 37% 14% 18% 16% 15% Extremely concerned Somewhat concerned A little concerned Not very concerned Not concerned at all n=1918 6
Rolling news television was the most common source for finding out news about the riots, whilst a quarter used social media websites to keep up to date Did you use any of the following sources to follow news relating to the riots? Please select all that apply. 86% 50% 48% 38% 31% 25% 21% 16% 2% 1% Rolling news News websites News bulletins television (e.g. on television Sky News, BBC News etc) Newspapers Radio Social media websites (e.g. Facebook, Twitter) Word-of-mouth News apps on a smart phone Other None of the above n=1918 (each column) 7
80% said that Greed and lack of respect for property and people on the part of the rioters themselves played a very big part in prompting or escalating the riots To what extent do you think each of the following played a part in prompting and/or escalating the riots? 80% 12% 15% 5% 1% 2% 1% 4% Greed and lack of respect for property and people on the part of the rioters themselves 59% 21% Poor parenting by the parents of young people involved in the rioting 35% 25% 22% 25% 27% 12% 14% 6% 5% Police tactics not providing a strong enough deterrent 30% The availability of encrypted messaging technology on devices such as Blackberry 16% 12% 11% 21% 30% 19% 14% Media coverage of the riots 11% 12% 22% 24% 28% 28% 26% 25% Feelings of injustice regarding wider issues such as social inequality and the current financial climate Lack of activities / opportunities for young people in affected areas 3% 3% 15% 41% 37% Feelings of injustice regarding the shooting of Mark Duggan Played a very big part Played a fairly big part Played some part Played a small part Played no part n=1918 (each column) 8
Comments made by respondents about what prompted or escalated the riots touched on a variety of issues, both to do with personal discipline and social disenfranchisement If there is anything else that you think played a part in prompting or escalating the riots, please let us know here: Lack of discipline in schools; lack of a decent punishment system; single parenting; drugs. The government played a part by their public attack on policing and their savage cuts reducing police numbers in fact but also reducing people's respect for the police. Many young people saw others 'getting away with it' - saw the Police not responding hard enough and fast enough and decided to join in. Not enough discipline by teachers and parents during early years. This is no longer allowed as it is seen as abuse. A feeling of alienation, disjointedness from society, which means the rioters felt no stake in what they were destroying and no respect for it either. People using violent computer games to desensitise them. Civil unrest is the inevitable consequence of a government that is out of touch with, and could not care less about, its citizens. There seems to be a whole section of the young in the inner cities that are either born with or are taught to have a huge chip on their shoulders regarding social inequality. The rioters obviously know that their future is very bleak due to the ostentatious wealth and opportunity difference between sections of the citizens who make up multicultured England. General negative attitude towards young people and lack of funding for youth work especially in deprived areas. Relationship between young people and the police. Rioters only looted technology, sporting goods and food/liquor stores. They did not attack government buildings to vent their anger. They are a result of misguided liberal education & social policies used since the mid sixties. All rights & entitlements nothing on responsibilities & consequences. We are constantly being told that things are bad and are going to be worse. The burden of cutbacks seem to be aimed at poorer members of society. This gives a message of hopelessness. The huge issue is the fact that for far too long we have been a country where people (especially youths) can do and say what they want and others defend their right to be understood. These comments do not reflect the views of Sky News or edigitalresearch, and should not be taken as a proportional view of respondents as a whole. Some comments have been shown here in truncated form. 9
57% thought that front-line police responded well in helping to bring the riots under control; over a third thought that Central Government responded very poorly How well do you think each of the following responded to the riots, in helping to bring them under control? Please rate on a scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is 'Responded very poorly' and 5 is 'Responded very well' 2% 4% 1% 6% 11% 29% 13% 18% 57% 22% 28% 23% 10% 8% The front-line police officers 25% 22% 20% The commanding police officers 23% 34% Central Government, including the Prime Minister 7% 4% 4% 13% 32% 29% 24% 23% Local Government and Councils 33% 21% 7% 4% The general public Don't know 5 4 3 2 1 n=1914, 1904, 1915, 1917, 1912 10
Over two-thirds either fully or partly supported calls for rioters dependent on welfare to have their benefits taken away or to be evicted from their homes An e-petition on the Government website has called for rioters who are dependent on welfare to have their benefits taken away from them, and the family of one rioter has already been evicted from their home. Which of the following statements best describes y 46% 21% 15% 17% 1% I fully support these actions I support these actions to some extent I don t really support these actions but there may be some cases where it is appropriate I think these actions are just a knee-jerk reaction and don t support them at all I don t know n=1918 11
70% thought that rioters should be punished as harshly as possible with jail terms, whilst nearly a quarter suggested community service would be most appropriate More generally, to what extent do you think it is appropriate to punish those involved in the riots? 70% 23% I think that rioters should be punished as harshly as possibly (i.e. by being sent to jail) I think that rioters should experience some sort of punishment, such as community service to clean up the streets 7% I do not think that punishment should be the main focus; instead the wider social issues need to be addressed 1% Don t know n=1918 12
Over 90% thought that foreign perceptions of the safety of London and other affected areas will have been impacted, although over half thought that it would recover quickly Do you think foreign perception of the safety of London and other areas where riots occurred will have been impacted by the riots? 54% 9% 37% Yes, it will take a long time for this perception to recover Yes, but I think that this perception will recover quite quickly No, I don t think the safety of London and other affected areas will be perceived any differently n=1918 13
Half said that their confidence in London s ability to host the 2012 Olympics has not changed as a result of the riots, although 39% felt slightly or much less confident Some have suggested that the riots have highlighted limitations in London's ability to host the 2012 Olympics, whilst others suggest they will ensure even tighter security. Which of the following statements best reflects your opinion? 50% 21% 18% 6% 5% I feel much more confident in London s ability to host the Olympics following the riots I feel slightly more confident in London s ability to host the Olympics following the riots My confidence in London s ability to host the Olympics has not changed I feel slightly less confident in London s ability to host the Olympics following the riots I feel much less confident in London s ability to host the 2012 Olympics following the riots n=1918 14
Comments about preventing riots in the future related to tougher discipline, different police tactics, and dealing with the wider social issues Finally, we would like to know what you think should be done both now and in the future in order to prevent riots of this nature occurring again in England: I think that National Service should be brought back or maybe send the younger rioters to a programme where they can learn how to become better citizens. Send the older ones to jail. Roll back the nanny state and benefits culture, also the "liberal" view that society are to blame and allow teachers, police and parents to discipline children in the most appropriate way fit. I don't think we can afford the cuts proposed by the government re the police force etc. More consistent and tougher policing. Parents to be held responsible for their children. Allow the police to use greater/more appropriate force to remove these people from the streets. Politicians should be looking very carefully at the poor state of this country. The liberal do-gooders must realise that they have inflicted enormous damage as has the Human Rights Act. The people that rioted need to learn respect for people and property. They appear not to respect anything or anyone, until they do there will be more riots to come. We need to look at the social issues behind these riots. Those convicted of rioting should serve harsh sentences and if they do have their homes or benefits withdrawn they should be made to do hard work in the community in order to earn these back. The Elephant in the Room is that riots took place in England, not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. I'd suggest that better, local representation for England in the form of an English parliament or regional assemblies would go some way to engaging more closely with local communities There needs to be sustainable, bottom up, credible action by communities for communities. These comments do not reflect the views of Sky News or edigitalresearch, and should not be taken as a proportional view of respondents as a whole. Some comments have been shown here in truncated form. Tougher penalties for those who cause disorder. Cutting the dependency culture of our country. There needs to be a faster response to riots and water cannons or tear gas should be employed to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure. Talk to the people involved in riots and listen to their problems. Talk to people living and working in riot area and listen to their suggestions. I think the Police need to stop being so arrogant, most of their stop searches are illegal, they are supposed to have a good reason for stopping and searching but instead they fictionalise nonsense reasons. 15