Explanation
Fear of crime refers to the emotional response, anxiety, or concern individuals experience regarding the possibility of becoming a victim of crime. It encompasses both subjective feelings of vulnerability and perceived risk, which may not correspond to actual crime rates or personal victimization.
Research shows that fear of crime can be shaped by media representations, personal experiences, neighborhood conditions, and social factors such as age, gender, and socioeconomic status. High levels of fear can influence behavior, limit mobility, and reduce social cohesion. Policymakers often respond with security measures and policing strategies that may reinforce perceptions of risk without necessarily reducing crime.
Theoretical Reference
Fear of crime is a key topic in criminology, sociology, and urban studies. The concept has been explored through environmental criminology, cultural criminology, and critical perspectives that examine how fear is produced and managed as a form of social control. Scholars study the fear of crime paradox, in which groups with lower victimization rates may report higher fear levels, and critique punitive policies that exploit public anxieties to justify surveillance and securitization.