UK consumers spend more online than than their counterparts in Europe or the US, according to a newly published survey of e-commerce in the US, UK, Germany and France.

The study, commissioned by RSA Security, found that Britons spent an average of €231 during September 2005, compared to the poll's average of €153. US consumers spent an average of €129 per capita.

But fears of online crime are still holding back spending. Some 16 per cent of respondents in the US, and 13 per cent in the UK, said that they are spending less than they used to, compared to six per cent in Germany and nine per cent in France.

"With this year's ongoing wave of publicity around US-based data breaches and online fraud, it should not be a surprise to anyone that the understanding of these threats is highest in North America," said Art Coviello, president of RSA Security.

"What concerns me is that, while the industry is working hard to promote best practice and defence measures to our citizens, a high volume remain blissfully unaware of what identity theft is, leaving them exposed to potential exploitation."

The survey did find very low levels of awareness about online fraud; fewer than half of those questioned were aware of what phishing means.

But it is a lack of confidence in electronic retailers that is holding many consumers back, the poll reported.

Nearly half of all the Americans questioned indicated that they had 'little confidence' or 'no confidence' that their personal information was being protected, and this also concerned two thirds of the French respondents.

Nevertheless the future for e-commerce looks good. Most people are buying more online than they did last year, and two thirds of respondents are buying 'a few more' or 'a lot more' items than last year.