Survey tests tolerance attitudes

A survey has uncovered what people in Cumbria think about race and diversity.

The Cumbria Attitudes Survey, completed by 1,200 residents, was commissioned by the county council and Cumbria Police.

It found that while 18% of people strongly believed there were too many migrants in Cumbria, 32% strongly disagreed with the statement.

Nine out of 10 people were happy with where they lived, 83% talked to their neighbours regularly, and 20% did not feel positive towards obese people.

Building bridges

The biggest issue facing Britain, according to respondents in the survey, was thought to be law and order.

Another finding was that 37% thought migrants made a positive contribution to the local economy and culture, with 21% believing they did not.

The minority groups that Cumbrians felt least positive towards were travellers (39%), followed by refugees or asylum seekers (30%), Muslims (28%), obese people (20%), gays and lesbians (14%) and East European migrant workers (13%).

The results of the survey will be used to help the county council, the police and other agencies improve services.

Councillor Elizabeth Mallinson, cabinet member responsible for equality and diversity, welcomed the completion of the survey adding that it raised the question of whether Cuimbrians were "racist".

"The evidence suggests that, no, Cumbria is no more prejudiced than other parts of the country," she said.

"Nevertheless, the attitudes survey does present us with some core areas to focus on in terms of building bridges, educating people and increasing tolerance."