Fear of Crime in Italy

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the spread and determinants of fear of crime in Italy. A secondary analysis was performed on the 1995 Italian National Statistics Institute data (Italian representative sample: 19,785 participants). In addition, data from official judicial statistics were analyzed. Main results are as follows: (a) fear of crime correlates with crime spread; (b) fear of crime is more widespread than crime itself; (c) the best predictors of fear of crime are urbanization, degradation of residential areas, and residence in Northeastern Italy; (d) criminal victimization exerts a minor influence on fear of crime; and (e) sociodemographic variables under investigation exert little influence on fear of crime. These results are discussed in reference to international literature, and possible subsequent lines of research are suggested.