Debate rages over Britain’s ‘broken society’

It was a shocking assault. One man kicks a policewoman to the ground, inches away from a passing bus. Meanwhile, another officer is dragged across the road, punched, kicked and scratched.

All the while, witnesses pass by. Some watch from their cars, others film on their phones. In the end, only one person tries to help those being attacked.

“If the public now think it’s OK to stand and film and mock my colleagues... then we are in very dangerous grounds,” declared senior police chief Ken Marsh. He stated that police officers may have to start letting violent criminals go if they are not “backed up” by the public.

“In the old days, this would never have happened. The public would have jumped in,” he continued. “Society is broken.”

Marsh’s remarks made front page news. Indeed, the accusation that British society is “broken” is a common theme in politics and the media.

From 2007, The Sun ran many stories under the “broken Britain” theme, documenting violent crime, child neglect, teenage pregnancy and benefits cheats — all supposed proof of widespread social decay.

Furthermore, David Cameron’s 2010 general election campaign was built around a promise to fix “broken Britain”. These ideas have stuck. Last year, a poll found that 56% of British people felt that society was broken.

But how much does the label apply today?

In terms of crime, there are some worrying trends. Incidents involving knives are at their highest level since 2011, with over 120 homicides in London this year. The number of assaults on police has also risen since 2015.

However, If you count all violent incidents (not just serious crimes), statistics say the opposite. In 1995, five in 100 adults were victims of violence; now that figure is two in every 100 — a record low.

Progress has been made in other areas too. Since 2010, one million people have escaped poverty; between 1984 and 2014 infant mortality fell by 62%; and this year teenagers achieved the best A-level results since 2012.

Is society really broken?

Broken Britain

Of course not, some argue. “Broken Britain” is a myth. In a global context, Britain is one of the safest countries in the world, and focusing on individual crimes gives us a warped view of reality. Our society functions through the unreported kindness of normal people. It might not make the papers, but we can all rely on it.

Not so fast, others respond. Modern life is driving us apart. A staggering 73% of people do not know their neighbours’ names. With the rise of social media, people have become self-absorbed and disconnected from their communities. Society only thrives when individuals have empathy for others — something that is rapidly being lost.