Page last updated at 09:22 GMT, Monday, 2 June 2008 10:22 UK

'Most people happy' with police

Young people
Younger people were less confident in the police

Most people trust the police and think they are performing well, a BBC survey has suggested.

More than 70% of those polled for Radio 5 Live thought police were doing a good job and more than 60% said crime was not a problem in their area.

However, young people appeared less confident in officers, with 42% of 18-24 year olds saying crime remained a "real problem" in their neighbourhood.

More than 1,000 adults in England, Wales and Scotland were surveyed.

The study, conducted by Populus, found among those who had some involvement with police during the past year, three-quarters were satisfied with how they were dealt with.

It also suggested most people - 54% - believed officers had enough powers to deal with anti-social behaviour. Some 40% thought they did not.

Government reforms

There were indications police had some way to go to improve confidence among young people.

While 42% of 18-24 year olds said crime was a problem in their neighbourhood, a similar proportion - four out of 10 - said they were not satisfied with the way police were tackling crime where they live.

BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the results of the poll would provide some encouragement for the police service as it prepares for a series of reforms to be unveiled in a government Green Paper this month.

The poll also comes as ministers prepare to announce plans to tackle teenage drinking and anti-social behaviour in England.

The measures are expected to include legislation against under-18s who regularly drink alcohol in public and stronger police powers to disperse youngsters.



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