Crime & Crime & communities
Tackling fear of crime & disorder in the community
Fitting into the Fear of Crime Matrix
The Matrix has been designed to help Crime and Disorder Partnerships identify local fear issues and indicate the approach best suited to their particular area.
Below is an explanation of each Matrix zone:
Crime Reduction Programmes (Areas of High Crime, High Fear)
In those areas that are experiencing high crime, being fearful of crime is arguably a rational response. When this is the case, the first priority should be the introduction of an effective crime reduction strategy. High fear of crime can sustain high levels of crime (e.g. fearful to report crime, lack of confidence to challenge crime and lack of confidence in agencies). Alongside crime reduction measures should be some community crime prevention so that communities themselves become part of the solution, and long term have the ability to challenge crime so that it does not become tolerated and sustained in their community.
However, it should also be recognised that crime is usually only one of the factors contributing to fear of crime in these areas. Putting policies in place to regenerate the neighbourhood, improve local environmental quality, increase social cohesion and promote neighbourhood renewal will also have an impact on reducing fear of crime. An example of this type of area could be a deprived inner city with a transient population.
When action is taken to address problems, effective communication can help ensure that the community knows all about it. Action which is not visible to the community may not have an impact in terms of reducing fear.
Constituency for Fear of Crime (Areas of Low Crime, Higher Fear)
Areas where local crime levels are low but the public audience is still unrealistically worried, constitute our main target audience. In these areas, a coherent fear of crime strategy could have a real impact on the public views and perceptions, and significantly reduce the fear of crime and therefore improve the quality of life.
Examples of this type of area could be a rural community and any areas that are adjacent to those with high crime e.g. the outer suburbs of London. This scenario shows that fear of crime is partially independent of crime e.g. the fear/risk paradox shows that, in some circumstances, people at the least risk of victimisation are more fearful of it.
Learning Zone (Areas of High Crime, Lower Fear)
In those areas where crime is high but fear is low, then good communication and raising local awareness is key. The public should be encouraged to undertake crime prevention measures and remove the opportunity for crime in such a way which will not increase fear. An example of this type of area could be a university town, where many residents are relatively new to the area and unaware of any potential risks.
Ideal (Areas of Low Crime, Low Fear)
Those areas where fear of crime and crime itself area low are the
ideal towards which all other areas need to work towards. An example
of this type of area could be a remote rural area where the
community is small and has very high social capital.
Last update: 5 April 2005