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A YouGov poll shows that fewer than half of respondents would support reintroduction of the death penalty in the UK for murder. Of almost 2,000 people questioned, 45% were in favour of

capital punishment – which represents a fall from 51% in a similar poll four years ago. Conducted to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the last executions, the poll shows opposition to

reintroduction is strong (52%) among 18- to 24-year-olds. Overall, 39% were against the death penalty, while 17% were undecided. The strongest support for reintroduction was among Ukip

voters, the over-60s and those in lower social grades. There was an equal split (42% each) in respect of whether it was a good or bad thing that Britain had abolished the death penalty,

while 16% did not know. More than half (57%) of 18- to 24-year-olds thought abolition was a good thing. Less than half (45%) of those questioned believed executing murderers deterred others

from committing murder. But 41% disagreed that it was a deterrent, with the remaining 13% answering they did not know. Slightly more (42%) believed spending life in prison with no

possibility of parole was worse than being executed (40%). Questioned about whether they approved of methods of execution, 51% either strongly approved or tended to approve of lethal

injection, 25% of the electric chair, 23% of hanging, 19% by gas chamber, 17% by firing squad, and 9% by beheading.