The overwhelming majority of people believe the Isle of Man is a safe place to live.

That was a finding in the just-published Social Attitudes Survey.

In all, 97 per cent of respondents to the annual survey felt ’fairly safe’ or ’very safe’ in their neighbourhoods.

The figure for safety in the home was marginally higher: 98 per cent.

Overall, respondents were 10 per cent more likely to describe their neighbourhood as ’very safe’ than they were a year ago.

The report comments: ’The greatest regional increase in perceived neighbourhood safety from one year ago is in the west of the island, as these residents are 15 per cent more likely to describe their neighbourhoods as "very safe".’

Perceptions of neighbourhood crime remained ’stable’ with 73 per cent feeling it had stayed at the same level - although 22 per cent believed crime had gone up.

’As was found with last year’s survey, the area of the island with the lowest perceived crime level is the south, while the highest perceptions of increased crime are in Douglas and the east.’

The chief constable’s annual report, released in July, revealed crime 2016-17 was at the third lowest level in the past 40 years and equated to about a third of UK levels.

The survey saw a sample of 1,888 residents, aged 18 to 89, asked for their views on a range of issues.

The ideal population figure for the Isle of Man has become a political issue, with some wanting to see an increase in immigration to boost the economy.

On immigration, 38 per cent of respondents agreed the population should increase, but 49 per cent said it should stay the same.

Although 25 per cent felt immigration worsened the quality of life in the Isle of Man, 47 per cent said it improved it.

The report comments: ’Respondents are more likely to take a positive view of potential population increase in comparison to one year ago.

’While the proportion of respondents who feel that the island’s population should decrease has not changed substantially, those who feel that the population should remain static has dropped by 8 per cent and those who feel it should increase has risen by 11 per cent.’

There is no clear opinion on the impact Brexit will have.

The report says: ’One in three "don’t know" what impact Brexit might have on immigration to the island, but the proportion of respondents who feel Brexit will not have much impact rises from 26 per cent in the case of the economy to 46 per cent in the case of immigration.’

Despite 40 per cent of households reporting two years of financial strain, the Isle of Man remains one of the happiest 40 countries in the world in which to live.

Among the other findings in the survey was that 56 per cent of respondents were ’dissatisfied’ or ’very dissatisfied’ with air and sea links.

The survey will be used to help guide government policy. The full report can be viewed on the gov.im website.