Crime remains Bermuda's number one concern — although fear of it has dropped slightly in the latest Royal Gazette poll.

Fifty-seven percent of people named crime as the biggest issue facing the Island in this month's Mindmaps survey, with the economy second and education third.

Three months ago, 66 percent said crime was their main worry, and in January the statistic was as high as 69 percent.

However, the new figure is still much higher than it consistently was before gang violence began rapidly escalating in the latter part of last year. Last October, just 34 percent said crime was their top concern.

Fear of crime is highest among blacks, with 62 percent describing it as their biggest issue, compared with 47 percent of whites; meanwhile 61 percent of women said crime was their main fear, compared with 53 percent of men.

For the second poll in a row, crime was most of a concern to the 35 to 44 age group, among whom it scored 63 percent. The age group least concerned was the over 65s, with just 47 percent.

In second spot, the economy/unemployment scored 17 percent, the same as three months ago.

Concerns were strongest among 18- to 34-year-olds, with 24 percent saying the economy/unemployment was the Island's chief problem, compared with just six percent of 35- to 44-year-olds and 17 percent of 45- to 64-year-olds.

Education comes next, having increased from five percent to nine percent, with concern highest among the 35 to 44 age bracket.

Next on the list was Government corruption/Premier Ewart Brown/poor leadership, with five percent, followed by housing, racism and tourism.

The survey of 400 people took place between July 2 and July 6 and has a margin of error of 4.9 percent.