Exploring the Links Between Population Heterogeneity and Perceptions of Social Cohesion in England.

There are extensive debates about the measurement and extent of ethnic heterogeneity and segregation, which have formed the basis of much research in the UPTAP programme and elsewhere. However, the focus of this chapter is on debates about the consequences of heterogeneity specifically, whether or not ethnic heterogeneity has an identifiable effect on perceptions of neighbourhood antisocial behaviour and two dimensions of collective efficacy (social cohesion and trust and informal social control). A multilevel modelling approach is used to analyse these aspects of neighbourhood using data from the British Crime Survey which has been linked to external data sources, including the UK Census and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. After allowing for socio-economic characteristics of individuals and areas we find very little evidence for any negative effects of ethnic heterogeneity on perceptions of social cohesion and trust, informal social control or antisocial behaviour. Instead we highlight the importance of neighbourhood disadvantage, rather than diversity, in understanding these aspects of neighbourhood disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]