More Than Four In Ten Havering Residents Say They Feel Unsafe In Their Own Neighbourhoods.
A new Havering residents’ survey has revealed a striking divide over life in the borough, with more than four in ten respondents saying they feel unsafe in their own neighbourhood despite a majority saying they are satisfied with where they live or work.
The latest Havering Community Safety Residents’ Survey, carried out during March and April this year, asked residents about crime, anti-social behaviour and how safe they feel in their local communities.
A total of 226 people responded to the online survey.
And while 57 per cent said they were either fairly or very satisfied with their neighbourhood as a place to live or work, almost a third, 29 per cent, said they were dissatisfied.
But it is the figures on safety which stand out.
Just 40 per cent of respondents said they felt either fairly or very safe in their neighbourhood.
Meanwhile, 42 per cent said they felt either fairly or very unsafe.
That means more residents who took part in the survey said they felt unsafe than safe.
The findings provide a snapshot of how residents who responded to the survey view crime and anti-social behaviour across Havering.
The Council has stressed that the survey is designed to help the Havering Community Safety Partnership understand residents’ experiences and priorities and identify local trends.
The Partnership brings together Havering Council, the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, Probation Services, health services and other organisations.
The latest results will feed into the Partnership’s Strategic Assessment 2026 and its future community safety priorities.
THE NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
57% were satisfied with their neighbourhood.
29% were dissatisfied.
40% felt safe in their neighbourhood.
42% felt unsafe.
226 people responded to the 2026 survey.
The figures also provide an interesting comparison with Havering’s previous Community Safety Residents’ Survey.
That survey, carried out between July and September 2025, received 385 responses.
At that time, 43 per cent said they were satisfied with their neighbourhood, while 42 per cent said they were dissatisfied.
On feelings of safety, 49 per cent said they felt unsafe and 35 per cent said they felt safe.
The latest survey therefore shows a higher proportion of respondents saying they are satisfied with their neighbourhood, while the proportion saying they feel safe has also risen.
However, the figures remain close, with safety still dividing residents.
The Council’s previous assessment also identified community safety as a major concern among residents, with crime, violence, acquisitive crime and anti-social behaviour among the issues being addressed through the Community Safety Partnership.
There is also an important caveat to the figures.
This was an online survey of 226 respondents, rather than a poll of every Havering resident, so the results should be viewed as the experiences and perceptions of those who took part rather than a measurement of every resident’s views.
Nevertheless, the message from those respondents is clear.
While a majority said they are satisfied with their neighbourhood, more people who answered the survey said they feel unsafe than safe.
And that leaves a very important question for Havering’s community safety organisations:
Why do so many residents still feel unsafe where they live?
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Are those who are unhappy not more likely to respond to the opportunity to express their views on safety, thereby skewing results?