Great Britain has the biggest problem with anti-social behaviour in Europe according to new research published today. The study, devised with help from the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science at University College London, reveals the way Britons perceive problems facing this country:

• ‘Booze’ culture is fuelling anti-social behaviour in Great Britain, with 68 per cent of people questioned feeling alcohol was a key contributor to the problem
• A breakdown of discipline in homes and schools is also seen by 79 per cent to be a major influencing factor in anti-social behaviour
• Nearly half of those questioned (49 per cent) thought stricter sentencing would help reduce the problem
• Six out of ten people would be unlikely to challenge a group of 14 year old boys vandalising a bus shelter
• Three quarters said young people aged 14 to 25 were most associated with anti-social behaviour

According to the research commissioned by ADT, Europe’s leading provider of electronic fire and security solutions, 83 per cent of Britons feel this country has a growing problem with anti-social behaviour. This view is reflected in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. When asked about the problem in Europe, 76 per cent of the 7,000 people taking part in this survey across the region thought Britain had a problem with anti-social behaviour – more than any other country.

Professor Gloria Laycock of the Jill Dando Institute comments:  “This research is a wake-up call. We know anti-social behaviour is a major issue in the UK and the rest of Europe clearly agrees. The study shows people believe it is fuelled by the excessive consumption of alcohol. Increasing our access to alcohol cannot be the answer and it is time that the Government addressed perceptions of this problem.”

Adrian Casey, Managing Director of ADT Europe & South Africa, comments: “These perceptions, both inside and outside of Britain, are worrying. Government and policy makers may challenge them with statistics on crime and disorder, but as a nation we don’t believe this situation is under control. We have to seriously ask what sort of reception our fans travelling to the football World Cup and Brits on holiday abroad will receive when the rest of Europe perceives us to have such a problem with troublemakers.

“The way Britain is viewed, and many of the other concerns about anti-social behaviour across Europe revealed by this research, need to be tackled. Understanding the way people perceive this issue helps to develop more successful strategies for dealing with it. Our business is about helping people feel safer and more secure in a changing world, but the application of technology in isolation is rarely a complete solution. Broader strategies involving the public, business and authorities are required to tackle the problem, but also to change perceptions like these which are crucial in influencing how people behave.”

An overview and full research results for all the countries involved in this study can be found at www.adteurope.com.

About the research
This research was undertaken by TNS (a global market information group) via its Ncompass Online Survey. Fieldwork took place during January 2006 in the following countries: France (1,055 respondents), Germany (1,061), Great Britain (1,748), Italy (1,060), Netherlands (1,061), and Spain (1,062). Respondents were aged 16 to 64 in all countries except for Italy and Spain where they were 16 to 54.

About ADT
ADT, part of Tyco Fire & Security, designs, installs and services electronic security systems for retail, business and government and home intruder protection and detection systems. Sensormatic® is a leading brand of ADT. In Europe, ADT's products include alarm systems and integrated security applications that link access control, CCTV, electronic article surveillance and source tagging systems. They are used to deter thieves and protect people, goods and property.

About the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, University College London
The Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, based at University College London, is the first Institute in the world devoted to Crime Science. Research is concentrated on new ways to cut crime, drawing upon UCL's vast experience in related disciplines, including architecture, economics, engineering, geography, medicine, psychology, statistics and town planning. The JDI is establishing close working relationships with businesses, law enforcement agencies and policy makers to ensure that teaching and research are focused on practical, real-world problems and solutions.

For further information, please contact:

Porter Novelli
Alex Bland / Neil Bayley
Tel: + 44 1295 224 400
Email: firstname.secondname@porternovelli.co.uk