Startling new research conducted by ICM (1) and commissioned by CSV Make a Difference Day and Barclays reveals that gun crime, street crime and drugs are major concerns for people in urban areas.

Major concerns for people in London:

• 67% want street crime reduced
• 52% want to see local drug problems cleaned up
• 50% want to see a reduction in gun crime

Meanwhile in Birmingham, the UK's second largest city, results reveal:

• 57% want street crime reduced
• 57% want to see local drug problems cleaned up
• 37% want to see a reduction in gun crime

"The survey shows that urban areas, which have a high concentration of black and minority ethnic communities, are discontent with the crime that goes on in their local area, but they are not powerless to make a change," says John. "Often the conception is that black people are the ones committing these crimes, not helping to tackle them. Many black people who give time in their communities have a huge impact and they should be looked upon as role models for more people to volunteer."

Roy Tomlin, 49, a karate teacher from Lewisham, has dedicated a decade of his life to volunteering. His years of involvement as a Special Constable have been invaluable to the force and earned him an award for his contribution to the policing of his area.

Roy became a Special because he was fed up of all the crime in his area and decided to do something about it. "I thought it would be an interesting and challenging way to get involved in my community," he said. "Volunteering as a Special is fantastic and really rewarding. I can honestly say it is the best thing I have ever done. More people should get involved in their communities. You get so much satisfaction out of it."

Wayne Rowe served a prison sentence for possession of a machine gun and was heavily involved in gun crime but he has turned his life around and started helping others. He runs the Straight Aims anti-gun initiative in Brixton, working with 300 young people between 16 and 25.

"The work I do is very dangerous but having been there, I can connect with the young adults on the street and help them through conflict resolution," he says. "If I can stop just one person from going to prison or dying, then I've achieved something."

Rachel Barber, Head of Community Affairs at Barclays said: "Last year over 11,500 members of our staff took part in CSV Make a Difference Day. They remove graffiti, clean streets, parks and beaches and work in schools providing positive role models for young people. It's amazing what an impact you can have in one day - our staff will also tell you how hugely rewarding it is and how many continue to volunteer once they have a taste."

CSV Make a Difference Day is a flagship event during the Year of the Volunteer and is an opportunity for people to try volunteering to see if they enjoy it. It is the biggest single day of volunteering, with around 100,000 people taking part in activities the two weeks either side of Saturday 29th October 2005.
For more information call FREEPHONE 0800 284533 or visit the website - www.csv.org.uk/difference

ENDS

Further press information contact: Olivia Ware or Esther Freeman, CSV Make a Difference Day Press Office on 020 7812 0039/35. Email: oware@csv.org.uk or efreeman@csv.org.uk Out of office hours call 07870 689 347.

Latest press releases: www.csv.org.uk/press

Notes for editors

1. ICM Research interviewed a random sample of 1001 adults aged 18+ by telephone between 30-31 August. Participants were asked to rank the top three things they'd like to change regarding crime and the environment and the survey reveals the consolidated results. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at www.icmreseach.co.uk

2. Spokespeople and case studies are available upon request.

3. CSV Make a Difference Day takes place on Saturday 29 October 2005, and activities take part a week either side. Nearly 100,000 people are expected to give time rather than money to improve their local community. The campaign is organised by CSV (Community Service Volunteers) and supported by Barclays community investment programme and the Home Office Active Communities Directorate.

4. CSV (Community Service Volunteers) is the UK's leading volunteering and training organisation and creates opportunities for people to play an active part in the life of their community through volunteering, training and community action. Each year 164,000 people give 4.1 million hours of their time as volunteers through CSV.

5. Year of the Volunteer 2005 is owned by volunteers, led by a partnership between Community Service Volunteers (CSV) and the Volunteering England Consortium, and supported by the Home Office. To find out more about events and activities during the Year of the Volunteer 2005, please visit the official website at www.yearofthevolunteer.org

6. Barclays PLC actively encourages employee involvement through its Employee Volunteering grant giving, Volunteer 2day time giving and £ for £ match-funding schemes, as well as encouraging the wider public to do the same through supporting flagship projects such as CSV Make a Difference Day and Barclays Spaces for Sports.

7. "We actively encourage our employees to give their time and effort to local charities, urban regeneration, fundraising and all forms of volunteering. We are proud of their efforts and not a little humbled by them." Matt Barrett, Group Chairman.

8. Over 20,000 Barclays employees from around the world took part in community activities in 2004. Over 11,500 Barclays employees took part in Make a Difference Day activities alone, including staff in Africa and Spain. Volunteering projects ranged from mentoring, clearing beaches to gardening, painting and decorating.

9. Barclays takes its social and environmental responsibilities seriously, supporting social and financial inclusion both nationally and at grass roots level to make a real and lasting difference to the community. In 2004 the bank continued to be one of the UK's top corporate contributors, making a global commitment of £31.9m and one in three Barclays employees volunteered for their local communities.

10. For further information on Barclays community activity, please see corporate responsibility at http://www.barclays.com. Media enquiries contact: Sarah Davis, Sponsorship PR Manager, Barclays PLC on 020 7116 6095.