Britain is a nation besieged by antisocial behaviour with more people worrying about its impact on their lives than any other crime.

A new survey has found homeowners are more worried about ‘low level’ bad behaviour than more serious offences such as being attacked, scammed or having their car stolen.The Neighbourhood Watch poll found 69% of respondents identifying antisocial behaviour such as  wanton vandalism or nuisance neighbours as their primary crime concern, significantly outweighing worries about home burglaries (50%) and cybercrime (45%).

Statistics from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) also demonstrate the prevalence of antisocial behaviour and rising fears of crime, with their report from June 2024 showing that 36% of people had experienced or witnessed some type of antisocial behaviour. This data demonstrates the continued need for communities to come together to reduce antisocial behaviour in their local area, and for individuals to be confident in identifying and reporting incidents to the police. The prevalence of yob behaviour contributes to a general sense of unease, with a quarter of respondents admitting they feel unsafe venturing out into their own neighbourhood.

Figures from the survey by Neighbourhood Watch Network and SimpliSafe Home Security showed that despite the importance of reporting crimes including anti-social behaviour, 42% of people who experienced an offence either didn’t report it or stopped before completing the report.

The main reason victims cited for not reporting crimes was a feeling that nothing would be done by police even if they made a complaint.

The survey found the most common security measure taken by households is external security lighting, with 60% of homeowners installing such devices – likely in response to concerns about nuisance and night-time disturbances often associated with antisocial behaviour.

Savvy Brits also shared their tips for protecting valuables from would-be burglars, with 39% saying they would choose a safe within their home as their preferred hiding place, followed by using their loft (7.8%), or even a trusty sock drawer (3.8%).

Other creative suggestions for keeping valuables safe included a false bookshelf in the lounge, a biscuit tin in the kitchen, and even the refrigerator.

John Hayward-Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch Network: “The findings from our recent survey demonstrate the continued need to reduce crime in local communities across England and Wales, and to invest in initiatives that will have a meaningful impact on how safe people feel.

“Our charity is committed to educating and empowering individuals and communities, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to work together and reduce crime in their local areas. The data shows that the landscape of crime is continuing to change at a rapid pace, with increasingly frequent incidents of cybercrime and digital fraud affecting communities of all ages and backgrounds. It is our responsibility, and that of other organisations, to keep people safe and equip them to deal with this shifting crime landscape.”

Jonathan Wall, VP, UK Managing Director at SimpliSafe, added: “Antisocial behaviour is a major concern for many, outweighing worries about other crimes like burglary and cybercrime, and significantly impacting people’s sense of safety and belonging. The survey also revealed that over a quarter of respondents feel disconnected from their neighbourhoods, a factor that may contribute to the problem.

“While many invest in security measures due to rising crime rates, a proactive approach is recommended. Rather than waiting for crime to increase, consider preventative security solutions. Such as external security lights, indoor light timers, video doorbells and outdoor cameras, all of which can be effective deterrents against antisocial behaviour.”