Revealed: The British accents stereotyped as CRIMINALS
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From the approachable Geordie twang to the instantly recognisable Edinburgh lilt, the UK is home to some of the most distinctive accents in the world. But a new study has warned that the way you talk might make people think you're a criminal. Researchers from the University of Cambridge played recordings of men with various British accents to people from all over the UK, and asked them to rate them for their crime-committing potential.
![[The Liverpool and Bradford accents were perceived as the most likely to behave in criminal ways. Pictured: Stephen Graham, who is known for his strong Liverpool accent]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/15/94172881-0-image-a-156_1737042998129.jpg)
While the results will come as a relief to some Britons, they could raise alarm bells for others. Somewhat unsurpisingly, men with posh English accents were rated as the least likely to commit crimes. In contrast, the Liverpool and Bradford accents were perceived as the most likely to behave in criminal ways.
![[Somewhat unsurpisingly, men with posh English accents (Jamie Laing, pictured) were rated as the least likely to commit crimes]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/16/15/94173203-0-image-m-158_1737043072517.jpg)
According to the rearchers, this indicates that there's a link between perceived social status and the perceived likelihood of committing crimes. 'Perceived social class, as judged from a speaker's accent, is an important predictor of UK listeners' expectations about behaviour, and this might have serious implications in the criminal justice system,' said Alice Paver, lead author of the study.
A new study has warned that the way you talk might make people think you're a criminal. Pictured: Zayn Malik, who is from Bradford. The Liverpool and Bradford accents were perceived as the most likely to behave in criminal ways. Pictured: Stephen Graham, who is known for his strong Liverpool accent.
