A major new YouGov survey examines public opinion towards the law and order system in the UK, with a particular focus on policing. In addition to a national survey of public attitudes, we also surveyed victims of crime and police staff on their experiences.

Key findings

  • Adults in England and Wales lack confidence in the law and order system, with a majority saying they have little to no faith in the system’s ability to reform offenders, investigate minor crimes, hand down appropriate sentences, or even keep prisoners locked up
  • Adults in England and Wales tend to think the police are doing a bad job, and lack confidence in their local police force – particularly in London, the West Midlands, and Manchester
  • Most people think crime is rising across a whole suite of offences, ranging from 85% for online fraud, to 57% for violent assault, and 52% for burglary
  • 56% of victims of crime who reported it were overall dissatisfied with how the police handled their case
  • 35% of victims said they did not report the incident to the police, rising to 57% of victims of fraud
  • By 54% to 41%, police officers think senior officers on their force are doing a bad job
  • Only 7% of police officers feel supported by the government
  • Just 14% of all police staff feel the police have a big problem with racism, with twice as many (29%) feeling it's not a problem at all in the police today
  • 42% of women working in the police believe the force has a problem with misogyny, with 33% having personally experienced sexism while on the job
  • 84% of police officers believe it's too easy for firearms officers who kill someone in the line of duty to face criminal charges

See full data for...

All Britons

Victims of crime

Police staff

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Photo: Getty

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