LOCKDOWN has led to a surge in neighbourliness across Scotland new figures have revealed, with a quarter of people speaking to their neighbours more than they did previously.

With government measures keeping us indoors, people have made sure that the vulnerable next-door are looked after and talked to more, according to new data released by Co-op Insurance.

More than two out of three people in Scotland – 71 per cent – now know which of their neighbours are classed as high risk, and more than a quarter (26 per cent) have checked in on neighbours in the last few weeks.

With the bright side of humanity on display, more than two out of five (42 per cent) of people who know their neighbours have spoken to them over a fence or a wall, and narly a fifth (18 per cent) say they have chatted online or over the phone to neighbours in the last few weeks to see how they are or if they need any help, while 16 per cent have dropped off shopping or essential medicine for those in another household.

Andrew Nevitt, head of products at Co-op Insurance, said: “It’s heartening to hear that so many people are looking out for one another during this time of crisis.”