|
Brits are Europe's yobs - survey
09/05/2006 14:21 - (SA)
London - Britain has the worst problem with anti-social behaviour in Europe, and this behaviour is fuelled by alcohol and a lack of discipline in homes and schools.
A study, published on Tuesday, surveyed 7 000 people in six of the biggest European Union member states.
It found that 76% of those surveyed thought the problem was worst in Britain, followed by France (75%) and Germany (61%).
Almost 70% thought that "booze culture" caused anti-social behaviour.
"This research is a wake-up call," said Gloria Laycock, a crime researcher at the Jill Dando institute at University College London, which devised the survey.
Brits are frequently condemned as the worst binge drinkers in Europe. The relaxation of laws to allow pubs and bars to apply for round-the-clock opening has not helped that reputation.
Laycock said: "Increasing our access to alcohol cannot be the answer, and it is time that the government addressed perceptions of this problem."
The survey found that half of respondents thought tougher sentences and punishment would help improve behaviour.
Yobbish behaviour by Brits abroad, often fuelled by excessive drinking, led the British foreign office to announce in April that it would start charging fees to help citizens who get in trouble overseas.
As thousands of English soccer enthusiasts prepare to travel to Germany this summer for the soccer World Cup, British police are appealing for good behaviour from fans.
- Reuters
|
News
