A survey of 1,800 people in England and Wales found that people thought 55% of convicted killers were from an ethnic minority, when the real percentage is 35%.
They also thought just 45% of homicides were committed by white people, when the real figure is 64%.
Reform voters were furthest from the truth, believing 70% of killers were from ethnic minorities – 10% more than voters of any other party.
Public estimates of foreign national offenders show why crime could be fertile ground for the far right. People surveyed thought foreign national offenders comprised 25% of the prison population, when the real figure is 12%.
Respondents also overestimated the number of foreigners committing sexual offences, believing it to be 30%, when the real figure is half that at 15%.
Once again Reform voters’ perceptions were the most wrong, with them believing 50% of sexual offences were by foreign nationals – 20% higher than those who told the survey they were Conservative supporters.
They also thought just 45% of homicides were committed by white people, when the real figure is 64%.
Reform voters were furthest from the truth, believing 70% of killers were from ethnic minorities – 10% more than voters of any other party.
Public estimates of foreign national offenders show why crime could be fertile ground for the far right. People surveyed thought foreign national offenders comprised 25% of the prison population, when the real figure is 12%.
Respondents also overestimated the number of foreigners committing sexual offences, believing it to be 30%, when the real figure is half that at 15%.
Once again Reform voters’ perceptions were the most wrong, with them believing 50% of sexual offences were by foreign nationals – 20% higher than those who told the survey they were Conservative supporters.
