Deprived areas suffer far more

PEOPLE IN Scotland’s most deprived neighbourhoods can be up to 18 times more likely to feel victims of anti-social behaviour. Figures from the Scottish Government show 37% of the most deprived 10% of people perceive drug misuse and dealing as an issue in their streets, compared with just 2% in the least deprived bracket.

The data from the Scottish Household Survey, released last year, showed similar patterns for every category of anti-social behaviour. Almost half of residents in deprived areas felt rubbish and animal nuisance were an issue compared with 16-20% of more affluent counterparts.

Rowdy behaviour (32%), vandalism (29%), harassment (21%) and neighbour disputes (15%) all proved significant issues in the most deprived zones while registering in single figures at the other end of the scale.

Only 5% of people in the least deprived neighbourhoods felt there were problems with loud parties or noisy neighbours compared with a quarter in the most deprived.

Abandoned or burnt-out vehicles failed to register on the least deprived scale and only reached 4% on the most deprived.

The report found that owner occupiers were less likely to feel anti-social behaviour was ongoing in their area. Those in large urban areas reported more issues than those living in the country.