The Kings Cross Study

Abstract

This chapter presents results from a fear mapping study carried out in 2004 in Kings Cross, New South Wales (Australia), an area historically associated with crime and fear. Fear of crime was first examined using traditional global cognitive-based and crime-specific avoidance-based measurement approaches. An examination of the dissonant results produced by these two contrasting methods provided some useful insights for fear-of-crime research and asserted the appropriateness of crime-specific avoidance-based approaches when measuring and mapping fear of crime. A series of 2D and 3D fear maps showing areas of collective avoidance in Kings Cross were produced. Obvious fear hotspots, as well as streets perceived to be safe thoroughfares through those fear hotspots, were revealed. An investigation into the actual presence of crime in Kings Cross was then carried out and a distinct mismatch between the incidence of and fear of crime was found. This alerted the NSW Police to areas of unreported criminal activity and disorderly behaviour. The perceived presence of 16 social and physical environmental cues was also mapped to further investigate why people were afraid of crime. This exploration illustrated that each of the environmental cues triggered different levels of fear and distinct patterns of avoidance. This provided an evidence base for police and council when allocating resources to specific environmental cues in critical fear hotspots. An exploration of the avoidance reaction adopted by different socio-demographic groups in response to drug users and sex workers was additionally carried out. Separate maps were produced for men and women, residents of, and visitors to, Kings Cross. These maps provided some new spatially sensitive intelligence into how different people react to fear of crime through avoidance.