Drugs, alcohol and a lack of parental discipline are the three biggest causes of crime in Northern Ireland, according to a government commissioned survey.

The survey also shows that over 60% of people surveyed thought that crime has increased in the last two years, despite it actually dropping.

The research was carried out by the Northern Ireland Crime Survey for the Department of Justice.

More than 4,000 people were surveyed during the 2010 to 2011 financial year.

Of those asked, 71% felt drugs were the major cause of crime in Northern Ireland, while 66% thought it was alcohol and 62% believed it to be a lack of discipline from parents.

When asked which single factor was the main cause a lack of discipline from parents was a percentage point higher than drugs at 24%.