AN OVERWHELMING majority of the public would back tough new measures to try to reduce the threat of terrorist attacks following last Thursday’s bombings.

A Populus poll for The Times, undertaken between Friday and Sunday, highlighted stark divisions in attitudes between people living in London and the South East, and those in the rest of the country. The further away from London respondents lived, the stronger their support for tough new measures.

The poll showed that the vast majority of Londoners intended to stick to their normal travel plans despite the attacks. Those living the furthest away from the capital were the most likely to change their travel plans or abandon trips to London.

A large majority supported measures to reduce the threat of any future terrorist attacks. Nearly nine out of ten favoured giving the police new powers to arrest people they suspect of planning terrorist acts (86 per cent), tighter controls on who comes into the country (88 per cent) and security check and baggage inspections at stations (89 per cent).

More than two thirds of the public (70 per cent) backed an increase in police powers to stop and search people on the street, while three fifths (61 per cent) said that they supported the introduction of ID cards. There are were marked regional variations.

Those living the furthest away from London were the strongest supporters of tough action.While 95 per cent of Scots support security checks and baggage inspections at stations, 84 per cent in London and the South East back this measure.

Working-class respondents were stronger supporters than the middle classes of giving the police new powers. While 93 per cent of unskilled workers wanted the police to have new powers to arrest people suspected of planning terrorist acts, 79 per cent of professionals and managers did so.

Security checks and baggage inspections at stations were backed by 92 per cent of women and 85 per cent of men.

Overall, about one fifth of respondents (21 per cent), and the same proportion in London and the South East, said that they would change their travel plans following the attacks. This compared with 12 per cent of respondents to a survey conducted in April 2004 who said that they might alter their travel plans as a result of a threatened terrorist attack.

Some 25 per cent of those living in Scotland, Wales or the South West said that they will change their plans.

More woman than men (24 compared with 19 per cent) and more people aged under 55 than over 55 (26 compared with 21 per cent) said that they will change their travel plans following the attacks. Fewer professionals and managers than skilled manual workers said that they will alter their plans to travel (17 compared with 29 per cent).

Populus interviewed a random sample of 1,005 adults aged over 18 by telephone between July 8 and 10. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to be representative of all adults. Populus is a member of the British Polling Council. For details visit www.populuslimited.com

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