Fear of crime and protective behaviours in older and younger adults: results of a community survey

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the extent of fear of crime and the use of protective behaviours in a community sample.Method: A total of 287 people aged between 16 and over 90 years in the local government area of Tea Tree Gully, South Australia, were surveyed by means of a short questionnaire.Results: The level of self‐reported fear of crime was moderately high but there were no differences between older and younger age‐groups. Women felt significantly less safe than men, at all ages. There was no apparent relationship between protective behaviours and fear of crime.Conclusions: Crime prevention programs may have reduced the incidence of crime but do not appear to have reduced the level of fear. Theoretical issues a*e also discussed.