Reassessing the Fear of Crime: Frequencies and Correlates of Old and New Measures

Abstract

Despite the empirical, political and theoretical relevance of fear of crime, few studies have examined the actual frequency and intensity of events of such feelings. We consequently lack information on the frequency with which people worry and the intensity of specific episodes. We believe that a more detailed examination of everyday emotions about crime is long overdue as we as a community of scholars seek to formulate a more comprehensive picture of the distribution and significance of fear of crime. This is the third Working Paper of the Experience and Expression in the Fear of Crime project. In it we describe the rationale of a new measurement strategy. We present weighted frequencies from the new, updated questions and the 'old' methods (drawing on data from sub-sample D2 of the 2003/04 BCS), thus providing current estimates of fear levels according to three specific crimes: car crime, burglary and mugging. We also outline the socio-demographic correlates of the old and new measures using first bivariate and second multiviarate statistical techniques.

Keywords: Fear of Crime, Methodology, Everyday Emotions, Criminology

JEL Classification: I18, I31, I38, I39