Mumbai: Views on crime or violence and law enforcement around the world, a 29-nation global advisor study by Ipsos, a global market research company, shows at least one in four Indians (24 per cent) reporting a spike in crime or violence in their neighborhood in the last 12 months. Global citizens seemed impacted more, with one in three global citizens (34 per cent) reporting a surge in incidents of crime or violence in their neighbourhood in the past one year. The survey showed alarming numbers of escalation in crime or violence for Chile (68 per cent), Argentina (64 per cent) and Peru (64 per cent).
Surge in different types of crime seen
Urban Indians claim to have seen or heard of many crimes in their neighbourhood. 44 per cent urban Indians report vehicle thefts – of both 4-wheelers and 2-wheelers in their neighbourhood; 41 per cent report burglaries in their neighbourhood; 37 per cent believe there is illegal drug consumption in their neighbourhood; one in three urban Indians (33 per cent) believe there is a surge in incidents of drug trafficking in their neighbourhood; 30 per cent Indians believe there is an increase in vandalism in the past 12 months; one in three report increase in violence against adult women (34 per cent), violence against adult men (32 per cent) and assault against adolescents and children (33 per cent) have also increased in the past 12 months.
Further, at least 33 per cent Indians report gang activity in their neighbourhood and a quarter (26 per cent) believe they have heard about or seen incidents of prostitution increasing in their neighbourhood, in the last 12 months. Interestingly, gang activity was seen to be highest among Indonesians (66 per cent) and Thais (61 per cent). While markets reporting highest surge in incidents of prostitution in their neighbourhood were Indonesians (58 per cent) and South Africans (54 per cent). Japan (7 per cent) and Israel (8 per cent) reported lowest numbers.
Confidence in law enforcement agencies in forestalling crime
Crime is seen to be an intrinsic part of all global societies, though the intensity differs by markets, but how good are the law enforcement agencies in preventing and dealing with crime with an iron hand, shows more number of Indians reposing faith in their law enforcement agencies like police: 62 per cent urban Indians believe the law enforcement agencies like police are adept at preventing violent crimes from happening; 62 per cent believe police can stop non-violent crimes like burglaries, thefts and fraud from happening. 62 per cent urban Indians believe their law enforcement agencies are capable of finding and arresting the right criminal after a crime. And three in five Indians (61 per cent) believe the law enforcement agencies treat all citizens with the same level of respect.
Citizens of Singapore were seen to have the highest confidence in their law enforcement agencies. In their ability to prevent violent crimes (78 per cent), preventing non-violent crimes (78 per cent), finding and arresting the right criminal after the crime (79 per cent) and treating all citizens with same level of respect (80 per cent). Model society?
Commenting on the findings of the survey, Ipsos India CEO Amit Adarkar said, “Crime and violence are seen to be rampant in urban societies in India due to the disparity in incomes and the ever-widening gap between haves and have nots. Interestingly, the survey validates the confidence in police and law enforcement agencies, as they wield power to charge and prosecute those held guilty of any crime. Only fines for breaking the law and fear of law enforcers can keep criminals at bay. Only the fear of a jail term can keep the offenders in check.”
Defining govt’s priority for citizens in the neighbourhood
In the backdrop of a growing crime, urban Indians want the govt to focus on jobs and boosting the economy most (48 per cent), followed by stopping or reducing crime (29 per cent) and 23 per cent want the govt to protect citizens’ health and the environment.
“Urban Indians foremost want the govt to focus on job creation and building a robust economy. Dealing with crime comes lower in the hierarchy. It’s not surprising as India is still emerging from the prolonged impact of the pandemic and is also impacted to some extent with the unending Ukraine war,” added Adarkar.
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