Love thy neighbour? We don’t know them!

WE are traditionally a nation of people who pop next door to borrow sugar.

But a new survey has shown that a third of Scots don’t even know their neighbours’ names – and haven’t even bothered to introduce themselves to anyone moving in.

Just over half don’t even take the trouble to tell their neighbours when they are going away on holiday, despite this increasing the chances of their homes being broken into.

Remarkably the research carried out by Admiral Insurance found that more than a third of people wished their neighbourhood was friendlier.

Spokesman Justin Beddows said: ‘It’s a shame so many people in Scotland don’t bother to get to know their neighbours.

‘Being friendly with the people in your street or apartment block can make life so much more pleasant’.

He added: ‘It’s particularly sad that the majority of us don’t make an effort to get to know our neighbours when we move house.

‘When you consider you will be living so close to these people for many years, surely it’s just polite to call round to say hello.’

It is feared this trend towards a definite lack of neighbourly love could become a greater long-term security risk, especially during the summer holidays.

Previously, neighbours have always relied on those living close-by to keep an eye on their property while they are away.

But 57 per cent admit they now don’t even tell people they are going away on holiday.

The findings suggests there could be an issue of trust, with 27 per cent of those questioned saying they would trust their next door neighbour with a key to their house.

Admiral conducted the research to find out just how well we know our neighbours and whether we ever help each other out.

But it found that while most people in Scotland are on speaking terms with the people they live next door to, they tend to keep them at arm’s length.

Only 7 per cent of those questioned said that they don’t know their neighbours, while 32 per cent admitted they recognised them but didn’t necessarily know their neighbours’ names.

Furthermore, only a quarter of those questioned confessed they have had a proper chat after meeting them in the street.

Jim Maddan, chairman of the Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network, said: ‘Neighbourliness seems to have slipped down the agenda in our busy lives, and this survey by Admiral has highlighted the issues.

‘At this time of year, when we are often away on holiday, it is vitally important that we share our plans with our neighbours, if only to ask them to feed the pets, water the plants or to make the house look lived-in.’

However, it’s not all bad news. When asked what they would do if they noticed something suspicious happening in their neighbour’s property, nearly a half of Scots said they would go next door to investigate.

The study revealed some parts of the UK are more neighbourly than others, with Northern Ireland and Wales proving friendlier than those living in London.

It is easy to be a good neighbour by simply following a few simple steps, according to Shelter. The housing charity insists anyone moving into a new neighbourhood should make a point of introducing themselves, being friendly as well as approachable.

That way, it says, if they do have a problem with something you are doing, it can often be quickly nipped in the bud.