In reply to Chateauneuf du Boeuf:
We can carry guns?
Some very valid points, however:
The people in greatest fear of, and at greatest risk suffering, crime are those already living alongside criminals. Living on a rough council estate and being forced to 'socialise' with your local burglars, vandals and wannabe gangsters won't make your life any safer or reduce your fear of crime.
If you're referring to general loss of social cohesion you do have a point, but that's probably due to lack of common goals, values and culture within the UK. People, regardless of wealth, 'class' or background no longer feel part of something bigger. Consequently they tend to stick together with people they relate to, be that recent immigrants, affluent middle class ir the 'working class'.