[Clive]
Some interesting responses to the post on crime in my locality:
I live in Pattaya Becah, Thailand, and about half of my social circle here is British, and half American. The subject of crime is covered quite often, and we Americans are always stunned at the amount of property crime that exists in England as compared to the United States.
The simple fact is that people don’t break into houses in America because there is a very real risk that they could be shot by the owner. It’s really that simple. Remove that possibility, and property crimes sky-rocket.
Additionally, Americans are always shocked at the amount of assault that goes on in England compared to America. The reason why America has so few assaults compared to England is because America has so many murders. Simply starting a fight in America… like breaking into a house… can have consequences that go beyond a slap on the wrist from the local magistrate.
Well… As I always tell my British friends: In England your house may be burgled, you may be beaten senseless on the high street, and your car may go missing, but at least you’ll never be killed by gunfire.
Another important difference between the US and the UK is that here in Britain – which is obviously a much smaller place – neighbourhoods are much more mixed in terms of income and race. The New Jersey friend whom I mentioned before agrees with me on this. In fact, he misses the livelier social interaction that you get on this side of the water. On the other hand, as I said before, he feels safer where he is.
A New Jersey e-mailer chips in:
Yes, our neighborhoods and towns are actually quite segregated in terms of class and race. In fact, I suspect the police here would be wary of anyone who looked "different," meaning not white and prosperous. Not such a melting pot, are we? As a very fair blonde person, I wouldn’t dare drive too far to my east as I’d be in towns where I was the exception to the rule. Not safe for me there at all.
One last point. I also think that – contrary to the view from Hollywood – there’s less basic civility in Britain than in America. (Have you seen the House of Commons lately!?)
The Dish 