Abstract
We investigate an underexplored externality of crime: the impact of violent crime on individuals’ participation in walking. For many adults walking is the only regular physical activity. We use a sample of nearly 1 million people in 323 small areas in England between 2005 and 2011 matched to quarterly crime data at the small area level. Within area variation identifies the causal effect of local violent crime on walking and a difference-in-difference analysis of two high-profile crimes corroborates our results. We find a significant deterrent effect of violent crime on walking that translates into a drop in overall physical activity.
Highlights
It has been long recognised that crime has important externalities
The aim of the present paper is to examine one route by which crime might impact upon health: through reducing individuals’ participation in the most common form of physical activity, walking
We contribute to the literature on the wider consequences of crime in society by providing evidence on the causal effect of local area violent crime on adults’ participation in physical activity
Summary
It has been long recognised that crime has important externalities. One concern is the impact of crime on individuals’ ability to undertake their daily activities. Kling et al (2001) report that parents living in areas of high crime sought to keep their children indoors to avoid them becoming victims of violence and Hamermesh (1999) demonstrates that victimisation risk affects. We are grateful to Sport England for giving us access to the Active People Survey.
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