Category: London
Date: 06.10.2005
Printable version
Parents with young children are still opting to avoid central London three months since the terrorist attacks, a MORI survey commissioned by ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ London suggests.
Ìý
While the majority of those questioned said the bombings had made little difference to their daily lives, for those with young children it was a different story.
Ìý
Three in ten parents (28%) of under-18s said they now spent less time with their children in central London, while 39% of this group of parents said such visits had stopped completely.
Ìý
Meanwhile more than four in five (82%) Londoners questioned said they believed a second terrorist attack was "very likely" or "somewhat likely" in the near future, although the figure was slightly down on those asked by MORI just two weeks after 7/7.
Ìý
The poll, revealed on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ London this evening (Thursday 6 October), suggests that Londoners believe the attack of 7/7 has made it more difficult for ethnic communities in London to get along.
Ìý
More than 60% believed it was now "harder" for that to happen, with just 29% thinking it had made no difference.
Ìý
When it comes to assessing how well the authorities have behaved after the 7/7 attacks, the poll for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ London suggested the Metropolitan Police overwhelmingly received the backing of the people.
Ìý
Eighty-six per cent said they had responded "very well" or "fairly well" to the attacks, compared to Mayor of London Ken Livingstone (60%), the Government (65%) and leaders of the Muslim community (60%).
Ìý
The so-called "shoot to kill" policy has though, divided people. When asked if it was acceptable to allow the police to have a policy of shoot to kill a suspected terrorist, 45% said yes while 51% believed it was unacceptable.
Ìý
As for preventing further atrocities, the mood is gloomier, with opinion divided about whether current security measures on London's buses and tubes would prevent a further attack.
Ìý
More uniformed police officers (42% in favour), coupled with more plain clothes officers (36%), are the favourites at foiling further incidents, with CCTV and more bag searches close behind.
Ìý
And the majority wouldn't mind paying for that peace of mind, with 54% supporting a rise in council tax of £100 per year and 65% supporting a rise in council tax of £50 per year if it meant improving their safety.
Ìý
The results of the MORI poll for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ London are revealed on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ London, on ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONR, Thursday 6 October at 6.30pm.
Ìý
The poll was based on 1,014 interviews conducted with a representative sample of Londoners aged 18+.
Fieldwork was conducted between 26 and 28 September 2005.
Ìý
They can be found on bbc.co.uk/London or www.mori.com.
