A new poll suggests that while 54 per cent of Torontonians mistakenly believe crime is on the rise in the city, almost half say they are against the controversial practice of carding.

The Mainstreet Technologies poll found that 42 per cent of the 2,320 people surveyed approved of carding while 47 per cent did not. Eleven per cent of those surveyed were “not sure” if they approved of the practice.

“While the public is concerned about crime increasing most don’t believe ‘carding’ is the right way to go. In light of recent world events it is interesting that more Torontonians are opposed to ‘carding’ than are in favour of it,” Mainstreet Technologies President Quinto Maggi said in a written statement released along with the poll.

The strongest opposition of carding came from those surveyed downtown. Fifty-five per cent of downtown residents opposed the practice and 42 per cent supported it.

The highest approval of carding came from respondents in Scarborough, where 66 per cent of people said they believed crime is on an upward trend. Fifty-four per cent of those surveyed in Scarborough support carding while 37 per cent do not.

“Scarborough is the only part of the city where more Torontonians support ‘carding’ than are against it – when you look at this alongside their view on crime in the city it’s very clear they are the most concerned with public safety, ” Maggi concluded.

Many groups have spoken out against police carding, arguing that the practice has resulted in racial profiling.

A survey, commissioned by the Toronto Police Services Board, was released in November and found that 62 per cent of respondents in the Jane Street and Finch Avenue area said they had been carded since June despite new rules that prevent officers from stopping people without a valid public safety reason.

The Toronto Police Service, which has close to a 70 per cent approval rating according to the poll, has temporarily suspended all carding as of Jan. 1. A review of procedures is currently underway and a consultant is expected to present the findings to the board on Feb. 19.

The poll, which was conducted on Jan. 11, has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.03 per cent.