23 August 2010 Last updated at 06:51 ET

Scots' litter concerns higher than drugs

Litter problems were the biggest neighbourhood problem, said the survey

Scots are more concerned about litter on the streets than drug dealers, according to a new study.

The Scottish Household survey said 26% perceived litter as the biggest neighbourhood threat, while 12% were concerned about drug abuse and dealing.

The survey, for 2009, also said more than 90% of adults rate their neighbourhood as a very or fairly good place to live.

It suggested general concern over anti-social behaviour was falling.

The survey, conducted since 1999, aims to build up a picture of people's attitudes to society in a wide range of areas.

Scottish Household Survey 2009 - Neighbourhood concerns

• Rubbish - 26%
• Rowdy behaviour - 16%
• Vandalism - 14%
• Drug misuse/dealing - 12%
• Noisy neighbours - 9%

• Read the full survey

The latest survey put perceptions of anti-social behaviour problems at a relatively low rate, with 26% of respondents saying litter was "very or fairly common" in their areas.

The second biggest concern was rowdy behaviour, at 16%, followed by vandalism at 14%, and drug-related problems at 12%.

About three-fifths of adults, according to the survey, have never suffered any neighbourhood problems, although this dropped to less than half for people living in the most deprived areas of Scotland.