Fear of crime : a socio-criminological investigation
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Date
1998
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
Each individual's personal security is basic to the quality of life of a community. If the quality of life is affected by crime or the fear of criminal victimisation, then both crime and the fear of crime should be viewed as a social problem.
The fear of crime is the focus point of this study as it produces changes in the lifestyle of the individual and the functioning of the community. Fear of crime generates feelings of anxiety, general mistrust, alienation and suspicion. At a social level, it can lead to a break down of social cohesion, the curtailment of normal activities and an unwillingness to help others.
The study aims at bridging the gap in our substantive knowledge regarding the fear of crime. Through the use of a questionnaire, the study further seeks to establish the following:
* Statistically measure and describe the nature and extent of fear of crime.
* Determine the factors affecting fear of crime.
* Account for the differences and variations in the fear of crime according to age, gender, household composition and type of housing, previous victimisation, crime as a social problem, role of the police and community neighbourhood involvement.
* Make non-prescriptive recommendations for the prevention of criminal victimisation that might directly influence the quality of life.
Research techniques employed in the study included the following:
* Literature study of research done on the fear of crime covering the 1970s, 1980s and early 1990s.
* A structured questionnaire consisting of demographicai information and questions pertaining to the factors influencing fear of crime.
* Non-probability sampling techniques.
* Statistical techniques to test the reliability of the measuring instrument and ten formulated hypotheses.
The findings of the study indicate the following:
(a) Age is related to fear of crime.
(b) Gender is the strongest predictor of fear.
(c) Household composition* is related to the fear of crime.
(d) No significant differences were found between the type of housing respondents live in and fear of crime.
(e) In general, people who have been previously victimised are more fearful of crime then those who have not.
(f) Concern about crime and fear of crime are related issues, as people who are concerned about crime, generally fear crime.
(g) The role of the police has not proved to be a significant factor influencing the fear of crime of respondents.
(h) Neighbourhood involvement tends to reduce levels of the community's fear of
crime.
The following non-prescriptive recommendations are made:
* Improvement of the image of the South African Police Service (SAPS) is a necessity to foster confidence in and respect for policing.
* Increased role visibility of the police.
* Promotion of effective Neighbourhood Watch Programmes.
* Active involvement of citizens in community policing forums.
Description
Submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of Criminal Justice at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 1998.
Keywords
Fear of crime, Victimization