The North West of England has been identified as the friendliest and most neighbourly region in the UK. Known for their outgoing nature, residents are keeping up the reputation, with 80% of people in the area reporting that they speak to their neighbours at least once a week.
Neighbourly acts are common across the country. For example:
78% of Brits have taken in a delivery for a neighbour over the past year.
68% have put out a neighbour’s bins while they were away.
These figures show that people in the UK are actively contributing to their local communities through everyday acts of kindness.
The survey comes from the latest Crime and Community study conducted by Neighbourhood Watch and SimpliSafe Home Security, which collected responses from over 25,000 participants across the UK.
The research explored crime, safety, and community belonging, highlighting the different ways people interact with those around them.
In the North West – covering Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, and Merseyside – 80% of residents reported regular chats with neighbours, demonstrating a strong sense of local community.
In contrast, Greater London surprised researchers by showing the highest sense of community belonging. About 77% of Londoners agreed they feel connected to their neighbourhoods, challenging common perceptions of the capital as withdrawn or impersonal.
Feeling connected to your local community is not only beneficial for social wellbeing, but also plays a role in fostering safer and more resilient neighbourhoods across the UK.
