LV= reports UK neighbourhoods are in decline
Released
on: December 3, 2008, 5:31 am
Press
Release Author: LV=
Industry:
Financial
Press
Release Summary: LV= has reported that one in three people in
the UK believe that their neighbourhood has declined since they
moved to the area.
Press
Release Body: LV=, the UK insurance company,
has commissioned a new report that has revealed that UK neighbourhoods
appear to be in decline, with one in three people (33%) believing
that their neighbourhood has gotten worse since they moved to
the area. Moreover, a quarter of people said that they would like
to move out of their neighbourhood, with less than one in ten
saying that they would like it to remain 'as it is'.
The
'UK Neighbourhoods Report' from LV,
commissioned amongst more than 4000 home owners and home renters
in the UK, paints a bleak picture of the declining standards of
neighbourhoods in the UK. People say that compared to five years
ago, they feel less safe, that local amenities and services have
deteriorated, plus they have a growing fear of becoming a victim
of street crime.
The
report revealed that for most people, the concept of an ideal
neighbourhood is one where they can live a quiet life free from
the threat of street crime and anti-social behaviour. However,
one in three people (32%) in the UK said that they feel they have
seen an increase in street crime in their neighbourhood, with
only 8% of people saying they have seen a drop over the last five
years. This led to one in four people (28%) saying they feel unsafe
walking in their neighbourhood at night.
Recently
the Government announced that crime prevention and neighbourhood
safety would be taken more seriously, with Communities
Minister Baroness Andrews announcing a £500 million
plan to revive deprived communities across the country, with the
aim of cutting crime levels, improving educational achievements
and boosting job opportunities.
John
'O Roarke, managing director of LV
Home Insurance, said: "This report shows
that a large number of people throughout the country are not happy
with the area they live in and, although there are many reasons
for this, part of this is because of the apparent rise in street
crime over the years. It is only natural for people to feel they
should be able to rely on the police and crime prevention measures
to make them feel secure but most people see standards largely
as 'average', with a further quarter saying they actually regard
it as poor.
"This
paints a bleak picture of how large parts of society view their
local areas, so this announcement by the Government to inject
£500 million into certain areas to help tackle street crime
is much needed."
According
to the report from the home
insurer, the most popular thing that people in the UK want
to change about their neighbourhood is the level of council tax
they pay, with four out of ten people (40%) saying this is the
biggest issue for them.
John
'O Roarke continued: "Council tax has never been the
most popular of bills but the fact that so many people are unhappy
with the level they are paying can probably be linked back to
the fact that people generally appear to believe that their local
services need a lot of improvements made.
"It's
all too easy to say that if people are that unhappy with their
neighbourhood, then they should move to somewhere else but with
the current housing market decline and the credit crunch, it's
a difficult period for those who are aiming to sell their homes
or move on. The Government has announced a number of steps to
tackle neighbourhood concerns but only time will tell if they
are enough."
About
LV=
LV= offers car
insurance, home
insurance and travel and pet insurance direct to consumers
by telephone from its UK call centres in Bournemouth and Croydon
and online.
LV= is a trademark of Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society Limited
(LVFS) and LV= is a trading style of the Liverpool Victoria group
of companies.
Web
Site: http://www.lv.com
Contact
Details: PR Contact:
Emma Holyer
Press Office
LV=
69 Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 1BG
0208 256 6714
Emma.holyer@lv.com
www.lv.com
2012
