MORE than half the people taking part in an online survey by Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association said they felt crime had not risen in the two counties in the past five years.

West Devon residents were among the total of 6,105 people who gave their views on crime and community safety.

A total of 55 per cent of respondents said they felt crime had not risen in Devon and Cornwall in the last five years.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes came out of the survey well with 87 per cent reporting they felt safer living in an area covered by Neighbourhood Watch.

The survey also asked questions about youth crime, with 85 per cent responding that parents should be held responsible for their children's actions until that child reaches 18 years of age. A further 83 per cent said parents should be fined for not controlling their children and 85 per cent said there should be night time curfews.

Overall, 85 per cent of respondents believed the legal system was too soft on the criminal.

Colin Harris, from Lewdown, chairman of the Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association said: 'These figures reflect the mood in most parts of the UK that parents must be responsible for their youngster's actions to help stop the rise in youth crime.

'But to be fair to the youngsters of Devon and Cornwall, we are not seeing the rises in youth crime here that are happening in other parts of the UK.'

Mr Harris added that copies of the survey had been sent to Maria Wallis, Devon and Cornwall's Chief Constable, Brian Greenslade, of the Police Authority and Home Secretary David Blunkett.