Crime & Policing Polling
58% of voters say crime has gotten worse. Police trust is at a low. Track the politics of law and order — and Reform UK’s rise on this issue.
Public Perceptions of Crime — 2026
YouGov polling from 2026 finds 58% of British adults believe crime in the UK has gotten worse over the past five years, with 24% saying it has stayed the same and just 11% saying it has improved. This perception persists even though official Crime Survey for England and Wales data shows some crime categories declining.
The disconnect between perception and statistics is itself a politically significant finding. Voters who believe crime is rising are significantly more likely to support Reform UK (which leads on “tough on crime” messaging) and less likely to support Labour or the Liberal Democrats.
Trust in the police has also fallen sharply. Following high-profile scandals — including the Sarah Everard case, the Clapham spa attack, and ongoing findings about institutional failings in major forces — polling shows only 34% of adults say they trust the police to handle crime well in their area.
Key crime & policing poll findings — 2026
- 58% say crime has gotten worse in the past 5 years
- Only 34% trust the police to handle crime well in their area
- 73% of Reform UK voters say crime is the most important issue for them
- 48% say sentences are “too lenient” for violent crime
- Reform UK leads as the most trusted party on crime (28%), ahead of Labour (24%)
Is Crime Actually Rising?
Official data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales shows overall crime has been broadly flat or declining since the mid-2010s. However, knife crime, fraud, and online crime have all increased, and these are the categories that drive media coverage and public concern. The gap between crime statistics and perceived crime is a long-standing feature of UK public opinion.
Most Trusted Party on Crime
Most trusted party to handle crime. YouGov, May 2026.
Reform UK’s 28% represents a significant rise from near-zero in 2022.
What do UK polls say about crime levels?
58% of British voters believe crime has gotten worse in the past five years. However, voters are less likely to say crime has risen in their own local area (38%), a pattern known as the “local/national crime gap” in polling research. See full VI polling →
Why is Reform UK strong on crime polling?
Reform UK benefits from voters who prioritise law and order, distrust existing parties on crime, and want tougher sentencing and policing. 73% of Reform voters cite crime as a top issue, compared to around 40% of Conservative voters. Reform now leads as the most trusted party on crime at 28%.
Has trust in the police fallen?
Yes. A series of high-profile policing scandals and institutional failings has seen police trust decline. Only 34% of adults now say they trust the police to handle crime well in their local area, down from around 55% in 2018.