Bracknell

Bracknell Forest's older citizens feel the safest in the borough and worry the least about crime according to a new report.

A survey about the perception of crime and safety in Bracknell Forest, commissioned by the Bracknell Forest Safer Communities Partnership, found over 65s living in the borough felt the safest in their environment and did not feel particularly threatened.

The low-level of crime-related fear among Bracknell Forest's older residents bucks the national trend - which suggests younger residents usually feel the safest walking the streets and living in their own homes.

More than 1,000 residents completed the survey which will eventually seek to reassure all residents that Bracknell Forest is a low crime area and a safe place to live, work and visit.

The survey focused on four specific areas of Bracknell Forest; Harmans Water, Martins Heron and The Warren, Priestwood and Garth, Great Hollands and Little Sandhurst and Wellington to establish what residents fear of crime and safety was.

The survey found older residents worried the least about drug dealers and sellers, being routinely troubled by their neighbours, having their property damaged or vandalised, and children being hurt, attacked or abducted in public places.

They also have a low fear of being physically attacked and insulted or verbally abused.

Overall tenants and single parents worried the most about crime in Bracknell Forest. According to experts this fear is disproportionate to the actual crime rate which has dropped by around 6.8 per cent.

Professor Kevin Stenson from Middlesex University, who co-wrote the report with, Dr Nadia Wager from Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College, said: "Younger people feel less safe in Bracknell Forest than older people which is quite different from other places but this may have something to do with the sense of social cohesion that many older people feel in Bracknell Forest."

Dr Wager added: "Older people have the least concern about such matters. Amongst others, however, the actual perception of crime is much, much higher than the reality of crime."

The biggest crime worry among Bracknell Forest residents was drug dealing/ selling with 37 percent of men, 37 per cent of women, 49 per cent of tenants, 31 per cent of older people and 52 per cent of single parents claiming they were worried about it.

Daphne Obang, Director of Social Services and Housing and chair of the partnership, said: "People perceive that the borough is not as safe as it actually is. We do not have a high crime rate in Bracknell Forest at all, yet residents are still very worried about crime.

"This fear is disproportionate to the actual crime rate which shows crime overall in the borough is dropping. We want to reassure everyone that Bracknell Forest is a safe place to live and work and this survey is the first step in achieving that."

Cllr Peter North, Executive Member for Public Protection and Services, added: "We live in a very safe part of the country but some people have a raised fear of crime or believe the risks to be much higher than they really are. This can affect how people feel and their quality of life.

"We will be working with others to make sure our residents realise just what a safe area they live in and reduce some of the unfounded concerns they have while addressing any real causes for concern."

Bracknell Forest Borough Council