97% of Sutton residents feel safe outside during the day

Council Leader Ruth Dombey to chair public meeting on policing in Sutton on Thursday, 20 March from 18:30hrs. Members of the panel will be Guy Ferguson, Sutton Borough Commander: Mark Simmons, Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner; and Stephen Greenhalgh, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime.

A recently published Ipsos MORI survey shows that the vast majority of residents believe that Sutton is a safe place – with safety being the single most important priority for residents in choosing where they live.

The survey shows that

– 97% feel safe outside during the day – a consistently high figure for the last five years

– 71% feel safe outside after dark – an increase from 62% in 2011 and 60% in 2009

The survey also showed further significant reductions in the fear of crime over the last five years. This has been achieved through a detailed understanding of the issues that make people feel less secure and the actions taken to address those issues.

Issues of greatest concern to residents continue to be speeding traffic, inconsiderate parking, groups of youths gathering, dog fouling and litter whilst the percentage of residents worried about being a victim of burglary has fallen to 48% (54% in 2009) and anti-social behaviour to 41% (58% in 2009).

The meeting will highlight the growth of Neighbourhood Watch in the borough from 900 members in 2009 to 3,588 in 2014 in 1,081 ‘watches’ covering 71% of the borough.

For further information and to register attendance visit:

http://www.london.gov.uk/get-involved/events/mopac-roadshows/sutton

A total of 1,031 residents were surveyed by Ipsos MORI between 11 October – 17 November 2013.