Are YOU part of the great middle class crime wave?

In some circles, obeying the rules is viewed as a "disadvantage" among those determined to improve their home or get their own back for high insurance premiums.

Researchers said an "unrestrained pursuit of self-interest and profit" had swept through society. Moral standards had been eroded by those who have adopted a dog-eat-dog mentality.

The most common crime is striking a "cash-in-hand" deal with a builder or other tradesman to avoid tax.

The homeowner gets a cheaper conservatory or kitchen because VAT is not added to the bill. The workman, in return, escapes paying income tax.

Other common misdemeanours include inflating insurance claims - adding a set of golf clubs to a shed burglary, for example - or taking items such as stationery from work. Then there is keeping change if handed too much by a shopkeeper.

The report, by Professor Susanne Karstedt and Dr Stephen Farrall of Keele University, is published by the respected Centre for Crime and Justice Studies. It says the middle classes justify their behaviour by treating it as a "revolt" against apparent injustice.

For example, insurance claims are inflated as a reaction against "smallprint rules or over-priced premiums".

Some 82 per cent said they had been the victim of a crime or shady practices, such as extra items being added to a bill, or tradesman charging for work that was not carried out or unnecessary.

The findings are based on a poll of 1,807 respondents in England and Wales. Researchers define the middle classes as those aged 25 or over who own their own homes and have money to spend on consumer items and not just essentials such as food and bills.

Dr Farrall said: "It is the values and the behaviour of those at the centre of society that are indicative of the moral state of our society, perhaps much more so than violent and other street crimes."

Richard Garside, director of the CCJS, said: "Politicians from across the political spectrum regularly claim that most crime is committed by a hard core of offenders, largely drawn from lowincome groups.

"This research demonstrates that volume crime is far more widespread, with the middle class being responsible for a wide range of illegal activities.

"The reasons for this are complex, and relate to the fundamental social changes in British society over the past 30 years."

Professor Karstedt said: "Contempt for the law is as widespread in the centre of society as it is assumed to be rampant at the margins and among specific marginal groups.

"Anti-social behaviour by the few is mirrored by anti-civil behaviour by the many.

"Neither greed nor need can explain why respectable citizens cheat on insurance claims or in second-hand sales, and do not hesitate to discuss their exploits with friends in pubs."