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LASALA FOUNDATION
‘Fear of Crime’ and the post-Olympic
legacy – A Proposal
Dimitar Pancheva
aCriminologist
To cite this article: Panchev, D. (2013). ‘Fear of Crime’ and the post-
Olympic legacy – A Proposal. London: LASALA Foundation.
To link to this article: http://www.lasalafoundation.org/our-articles.html
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used for research and private study purposes. Any considerable or
methodical reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing,
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The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any
representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up-to-
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with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss,
actions, claims, proceedings, demand, or costs or damages whatsoever
or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with or
arising out of the use of this material.
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‘Fear of Crime’ and the post-Olympic legacy – A Proposal
By Dimitar Panchev1
Abstract
The following research proposal will attempt to provide a new dimension of the ‘fear
of crime’ debate by placing it in the context of the post-Olympic period and whether
the massive regeneration programme which took place in the Stratford and New Town
ward of Newham, London has reduced the level of fear among its residents.
Fear of Crime – Review of literature
The origins of ‘fear of crime’ as a concept of criminological inquiry can be traced to
several factors, among which the sophistication of statistics, criminological concern
with new forms of crime statistics; the emergence of victim surveys; the rising rates of
recorder crime in the USA and the attempts to govern this; racialized concern of black
rioting and the passing on the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act 1968 in
the USA (Lee, 2001; Harris, 1969). Since then, it has been regarded as a significant
social issue (Skogan and Maxfield, 1980; Stanko, 1995; Stinchcombe et al., 1980). In
the United Kingdom, however, the ‘fear of crime’ remained hidden from the political
agenda until 1982 (Ditton et al. 1998), but once discovered, it was taken up by
politicians and policy makers because it seemed more amenable to manipulation and
reduction than the crime rates which were steadily increasing (ibid.) The
consequences of fear of crime appeared to be numerous and multiple factors were
used in order to explain it (Box, Hall & Andrews, 1988).
Among them, gender had been consistently associated with higher levels of fear
(Lagrange and Ferraro, 1989; Goodey, 1997; Smith and Torstensson, 1997; Keown,
2008), though this has been questioned by Gilchrist et al.’s (1998) findings. In
addition, many had found age predicts crime-related fear (Baumer, 1985; Garofalo
1 E-mail : [email protected]
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&Laub, 1978; McGarrell et al., 1997; Parker& Ray, 1990; Skogan, 1995; Tulloch,
2000), although perceived and actual risk may be disproportionate; some recent
studies had not fully supported the age-fear relationship (Chiricos, Hogan,&Gerta,
1997; Ferraro, 1995). Minority residents (Garofalo & Laub, 1978; Parker & Ray,
1990; Skogan, 1995; Taylor & Hale, 1986) and those with lower incomes report
greater levels of fear (Baumer, 1985; Bennett & Flavin, 1994; Garofalo, 1981;
Garofalo & Laub, 1978; McGarrell et al., 1997; Taylor & Hale, 1986; Will &
McGrath, 1995; Pantazis, 2000). Education tends to be associated with income and
may influence crime-related fear through residential patterns and routine activities
(Baumer, 1978; Riger et al., 1978). Married residents express less fear than their non-
married counterparts (Baumer, 1978; Haynie, 1998; Mesch, 2000), perhaps due to
lifestyle and activity modifications, as well as a decreased sense of physical
vulnerability (although Warr & Ellison, 2000 noted important complexities). Finally,
early crime-related fear research suggested victims of crime were more fearful
(Garofalo, 1977). Recent studies had yielded mixed results (Baumer, 1985; Bursik &
Grasmick, 1993; Ferraro, 1996; May & Dunaway, 2000; McGarrell et al.,
1997;Mesch, 2000; Parker&Ray,1990; Will&McGrath, 1995), leading to speculation
that victimization is stronger when it is vicarious (i.e., through the media, family,
friends, neighbours) (Covington&Taylor,1991; Skogan & Maxfield, 1981). Certain
citizen behaviours and perceptions have the capacity to “facilitate” higher levels of
fear (McGarrell et al., 1997). It had long been suggested that there was a link between
disorder and both neighbourhood attachment and crime-related fear. Disorder directly
affects fear when residents become concerned with the impact of such conditions (e.g.,
rowdy youth, public drinking, panhandling, etc.). Disorder indirectly affects fear
through residents' perceptions and concerns (Taylor, 1995); social and physical decay
may indicate a neighbourhood has lost the ability to exert informal social control
(Kelling & Coles, 1996; Wilson, 1975), generating fear and perceived vulnerability
(Bennett & Flavin, 1994). The perceived inability to control neighbourhood
conditions can erode residents' social ties and sense of community (Conklin, 1975;
Lewis & Salem, 1986; Podolefsky & DuBow, 1981; Wilson, 1975). Viewed in this
way, disorder can be seen as starting a “spiral of decay” (Skogan, 1990), generating
anxiety, helplessness, withdrawal, and the propagation of disorderly conditions.
Studies had offered theoretical arguments and empirical evidence that disorder, or the
perception thereof, directly and/or indirectly contributed to the fear of crime
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(Covington & Taylor, 1991; Garofalo & Laub, 1978; Hale, Pack, & Salked, 1994;
LaGrange, Ferraro, & Supancic, 1992; Lewis & Salem, 1986; McGarrell et al., 1997;
O'Mahony & Quinn, 1999; Pate, Wycoff, Skogan, & Sherman, 1986; Podolefsky &
DuBow, 1981; Skogan, 1990; Skogan & Maxfield, 1981; Taylor, 2001; Taylor,
Gottfredson, & Brower, 1985; Taylor & Hale, 1986; Wilson & Kelling, 1982),
although the veracity of the “broken windows” thesis remains empirically
questionable (Crank, Giacomazzi, & Heck, 2003). Extant studies assessing crime and
disorder had used both objective (economic and social data) and subjective (residents'
perceptions) indicators (Covington & Taylor, 1991; Garofalo & Laub, 1978; Taylor,
Shumaker, & Gottfredson, 1985). When a citizen subjectively believes disorder is
significant, this perception becomes real in its consequences (i.e., increased fear),
despite reality (Taylor, 2001; Taylor & Hale, 1986). Objective measures such as local
crime rates could be expected to shape fear; those residing in high crime areas would
be expected to express more fear. In another study, Taylor and Covington (1993) note
that fear of crime might appear high in neighbourhoods that experience unexpected
increases in minority ethnic populations, though unexpected ecological change does
not by itself set in motion a broad array of consequences undermining neighbourhood
viability.
Such findings can also be reviewed in the light of social disorganisation theory (Shaw
and McKay, 1940). For example, Hunter (1978) proposed that social disorganisation
stemming from community decline produces physical signs of incivility such as litter,
graffiti, and abandoned houses and lots; and social signs of incivility such as groups
of unsupervised and rowdy teens. Residents then conclude that formal and informal
forces maintaining public order are increasingly powerless and, therefore, that their
risk of victimization are increasing. Wilson and Kelling (1982) have described a more
complex scenario, arguing that unrepaired signs of physical incivility provide ‘cues’
to local youth that antisocial behaviour will be tolerated. If these cues increase, local
youths assume that residents can no longer supervise the public arena. Consequently,
problems related to unsupervised teen groups increase. In response, residents become
more concerned about their personal safety, progressively withdrawing from the
public arena. As local control erodes further, offenders from outside the
neighbourhood, attracted by the lack of natural guardians such as vigilant residents
and shopkeepers, move to the locale.
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Empirical cross-sectional research has provided support for portions of models linking
rapid community change with fear (Covington and Taylor, 1991; Perkins, Meeks and
Taylor, 1992; Taylor and Hale; 1986; Taylor, Shumaker and Gottfedson, 1985). No
studies, however, have incorporated measures of actual neighbourhood changes
(Taylor, 1987; Taylor and Gottfredson, 1986). Also, prior studies have not specified
the extra-neighbourhood forces or changes that instigate these processes (Gottdiener
and Feagin, 1988), and have not delineated the most relevant dimensions of internal
community structure. Of course, there is also the question of what ‘community’
actually stands for and how it should be understood. ‘Community’, as Pain (2000)
argues, should bring with itself an assumption for the presence of common interests,
though her own work demonstrates that different groups with divergent concerns
about crime frequently inhabit the same geographical area. As evaluations of
Neighbourhood Watch in the UK and similar community orientated schemes have
shown, such notions of community may benefit stable white middle-class localities
(Donnison et al., 1986; Walklate, 1989; Bennett, 1990), but this represents successful
fear reduction for the least fearful and least at risk from crime. Similarly, in more
heterogeneous high-crime areas those who populate community panels and whose
views are represented in other local organizations and initiatives are frequently white,
older and/or middle-class, so that ‘young people in local – communities? – become
successfully defined as the “criminal other” ‘(Brown, 1995: 47), to the detriment of
young people’s safety and ultimately the cohesion of the community itself.
More recent research into the fear of crime debate has shifted the focus onto the
emotional and psychological impact which it might have on the general public
(Maguire, 1980; Farrall et al. 2000; Gabriel and Greve, 2003; Jackson, 2004; Jackson,
2009; Gray, Jackson & Farrall, 2008, Dobbs et al. 2009). Moreover, there is a
growing number of academic publications that have placed tried to replace the
concept of ‘fear of crime’ with one of ‘risk’ (Jackson, 2006; Gray et al. 2008;
Hollway and Jefferson, 1997), the former appears to be inseparable of other forms of
insecurity and resulting from the condensation of a more diffuse perceptions of
uncertainty and insecurity which characterise the transformations of the late-modern
society (Beck, 1992; Bauman, 2000; Young, 2007).
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Improvements into the methodology for inquiring about fear of crime (Farrall et
al .1997) have also increased the awareness of social problem’s magnitude and ,
possibly, its dual nature – a response of fear in high crime areas and one of anxiety in
more secure areas (Farrall, Jackson and Gray, 2009). Also, it has been noted that the
frequency of fear of crime itself might be quite low and certainly one of low level – in
one sample only 8 per cent of all the participants frequently experienced high levels of
fear of crime (Farrall & Gadd, 2004).
Stratford and London Borough of Newham
Stratford is situated in London Borough of Newham, an area of the metropolis that is
characterised by an average crime rate, though the region’s crime rates appear to be
higher that the Borough’s average. Over the past twelve months, prior and after the
Olympic Games took place in the Borough, some reduction in the crime rates of
Stratford has been noted for the following categories – burglary was reduced by
20.3%, criminal damage – 7.8%, drug offences – 5.8%, robbery – 5,5%. On the other
hand, violence against the person increased by 12.1%, theft and HST by 67.3%,
sexual offences by 57.6%, fraud and forgery by 18.7%, other notifiable offences by
21.6% (MPCF, 2012).
The region itself is characterised by a multicultural population (ONS, 2009), a
significant proportion of which is young people (ONS, 2010, adapted in The
Guardian, 2010). A recent report on the demographics of the Borough notes that
Newham’s population is one of the most ethnically diverse in London, with 64.6% of
the residents being non-white. Of these, 20.5% were Pakistani or Bangladeshi, 18.1%
were Black, 11.5% were Indian and 14.4% were either of mixed ethnic origin of from
another non-white ethnic group (London Borough of Newham, 2010). In addition,
Newham’s BAME residents were on average younger than white residents – in 2008
just 26% of white residents were under 25 years of age, compared to the Borough’s
average of 38%. According to data from 2008, Stratford and New Town itself was the
most populated ward from the Borough (GLA, 2008). In addition, data from the Index
of Multiple Deprivation from 2007 shows that Newham was one of the most deprived
areas in the country, ranking sixth out of 354 local authorities in England (IMD, 2007).
This represented a relative decline since 2004, when the Borough ranked 11th
, and
third in the Metropolitan area, after Hackney and Tower Hamlets (IMD, 2004).
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Poverty in the Borough also has an ethnic dimension. In 2008, the lowest poverty
rates were recorded amongst households of Black Caribbean origin, of whom 22%
were experiencing poverty, followed by White British households, of whom 33%
were in poverty. The highest poverty rates were found amongst Asian Bangladeshi
and Asian Pakistani households who had poverty rates of 61% and 59%, respectively
(Newham Household Panel Survey, 2008).
On the other hand, over the last decade, the local area has experienced significant
redevelopment, the climax being the Olympic stadium, as the Borough was the host of
the majority of the events during the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2012 (The
Guardian, 2012). As the literature review has demonstrated, this particular ward of the
Borough seems to display several of the factors that might be associated with a
heightened level of fear of crime. The key question, however, remains, and that is
whether the ‘legacy’ of the Olympics and the massive regeneration it brought have
had any impact on the population itself and whether they have made any positive
contribution into the community. The following section of this proposal will focus on
the proposed methodology for assessing the fear of crime in the post-Olympic period
of the Stratford and New Town ward of the Borough.
Proposed Methodology
Methods that have been employed by previous researchers in order to assess public
perceptions of personal risk, fear of crime and risk of victimisation have included
surveys, secondary data analysis, literature reviews, focus groups, in-depth interviews
and structured/semi-structured interviews (Tulloch, 2000; Killias and Clerici, 2000),
replication of previous studies (Farrall et al., 2000) and triangulation of quantitative
and qualitative methods.
Different types of surveys have been used in order to provide the researchers with
quantitative data for the fear of crime topic and risk of victimisation topic (Franklin et
al., 2008; Jackson, 2009; Dobbs et al., 2009; Farrall and Gadd, 2004; Evans and
Fletcher, 2000; Goodey 1997; Tulloch, 2000). Although having poor internal validity,
such a method is commonly used when the goal of the research is to show trends and
not causation. Secondary data analysis (Keown, 2008; Borroah and Carcach, 1997;
Box et al., 1988; Schafer et al., 2006; Pantazis 2000) can be considered as a cheaper
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alternative to surveys and similarly to them such a method is used to reveal trends and
patterns. The analyses were based on data obtained from the British Crime Survey
(Box et al., 1988; Pantazis, 2000), wider projects (Schafer, 2006), the Queensland
Crime Victim Survey (Borooah and Carcach, 1997) and the Canadian general Social
Survey (Keown, 2008).
Literature reviews (Franklin et al. 2008; Jackson, 2009; Dobbs et al. 2009; Borooah
and Carcach, 1997; Box et al. 1988; Madriz, 1997; Schafer et al., 2006; Goodey, 1997;
Pantazis 2000; Gilchrist et al. 1998; Hale, 1996) have been used in order to provide
information on the topic and matters related to it. In addition, focus groups (Madriz,
1997, Tulloch, 2000; Goodey, 1997), in-depth interviews (Madriz, 1997; Maguire,
1980, Gilchrist et al., 1998) have provided the researchers with valuable insight into
the issues explored.
A more recent fear of crime survey with a distinctive methodology was conducted by
Easton et al. (2007) in the London Borough of Lambeth. All the interviews were
carried out in public spaces and the questionnaire itself included several sections
among which were demographics, feelings of safety, victimisation of crime in the
borough, feelings of insecurity, improvements to community safety, anti-social
behaviour in their local area and transport systems. The manner in which the survey
was conducted allowed the researchers a significant amount of flexibility in terms of
asking the questions and the open-ended interviews allowed the local residents to
elaborate on certain points of interest of experiences they have had in certain areas –
aspects which also involved visual aids (maps) and a mapping exercise, allowing the
researchers to identify potential ‘hot-spots’.
Although Easton et al. (2007) were quite successful in terms of the representativeness
of their sample, several potential problems can be identified. Firstly, as the interviews
were conducted in public spaces, a certain amount of questionnaires were incomplete,
making the subsequent analysis quite difficult. Secondly, in certain situations, a
significant level of confusion can be caused when it comes to the respondents to
define more abstract categories such as ‘crime’ and ‘disorder’. Responses might be
influenced by subjective knowledge and experience and if that is the case, then it
comes to the researcher to canalize the response towards a certain direction, at the
same time exercising considerable caution so as not the influence the opinion of the
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respondent and ,ultimately, skew the data. Thirdly, significant effort was made to
avoid interviewing members of the transient population, as they were not
representative of the borough’s demographic profile. In the current example, however,
this didn’t not appear to be an issue at stake and it was easily resolved by visiting only
areas that would be of local interest (local cafes, social clubs, shops) and if a similar
approach is applied in the Stratford and New Town ward of Newham, arguably, it
could be expected that satisfactory results could be obtained.
Sampling
As it was noted in the previous section, the London Borough of Newham has a
distinctive demographic profile and any methodology employed during the research
should revolve around the resolution of potential problems that might be associated
with the demographics of the area. Thus, the sampling strategy of this proposal should
be seen in light with similar research that has been conducted previously in similar
context – the Moss-Side study (Tuck and Southgate, 1981), the first and second
Islington crime surveys (Jones et al .1986; Crawford et al. 1990) and the one
conducted by the London Borough of Newham (London Borough of Newham, 1987).
The random sampling of the target population, as Eisner and Parmar (2008) note,
usually results in small numbers of any specific group, making any comparative
empirical inquiry quite limited. One possible solution to making research in multi-
ethnic environment would be to use a stratified sampling procedure, whereby minority
groups of particular interest are over-sampled (ibid.). Building up trust in such diverse
communities is also a problem that requires careful consideration and potentially a
prior acquaintance with the local area, community stakeholders and potential gate-
keepers before any fieldwork has been conducted. In a study by Harachi et al. (1997),
such a strategy proved quite successful in recruiting minority groups, but over-
reliance on the support of community leaders that lead to unintended bias in the
recruitment efforts of the sample (Fisher and Masty, 2006).
Depending on the time and financial constraints, and in case more time can be spent
on the field, an alternative approach to Easton et al. (2007) could be used, based on
door-to-door interviews, a strategy similar to the British Crime Survey (Maguire,
2007). As Mayhew (2008) notes, the aim of such surveys is to document the
experience of ‘ordinary’ people and different sampling strategies have been used.
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One of them is the ER (Electoral Registers), which is readily accessible and allows a
sample of named individuals to be chosen beforehand (including only those aged 18
and over). The problem with such a sampling approach is that it excludes the
homeless, the unemployed and a portion of the ethnic minority population – groups of
significant importance to the present study. A better alternative would be the Small
Users Address File (PAF) which contains all postal delivery points and represents the
fullest register of household addresses. The main disadvantage is the lack of list of
named occupants, meaning that any introductory letter to a postal questionnaire would
be sent to the ‘Occupant’, who might not be the person one is after (ibid.).
In the case of door-to-door interviews, the negative effects of such a sampling strategy
would be reduced to the minimum and in order to enhance the quality of the data
collected during the project, CAPI (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing) could
be used as the main method of data collection. The use of this instrument has a wide
range of benefits, among which are the in-built range and consistency checks; it
minimizes the loss of data; the possibility to randomise the order in which the
questions appear and the categories of possible responses so as to avoid the ‘order
effect’ (Mayhew, 2008; Martin and Manners, 1995; De Leeuw and Nicholls, 1996;
Bryman, 2007).
A third alternative would be the sending of postal questionnaires within the ward
(May, 2011; Bryman, 2007). In contrast to the door-to-door interviews, the former is
less expensive. Secondly, as the survey and the topic itself can be considered quite
sensitive, covering topics such as previous victimization, the distribution of postal
questionnaires is a better alternative in terms of anonymity preservation. Thirdly, the
filling of the questionnaire is not constrained within a time-frame and arguably, it
would be more suitable for the target sample, as participants can take their own time
to fill in the questionnaire and consider their responses. Fourthly, as the data-
gathering process would not be based on interviews, this would introduce less bias
than in the case when different interviewers might ask the same questions (subjective
bias).
On the other hand, postal questionnaires also have several drawbacks which should be
taken into consideration ( ibid.). To begin with, when designing the questionnaire, the
questions should be kept straightforward and relatively simple, so as to avoid the bias
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which might arise from the subjective (mis)interpretation of certain sections of the
questionnaire. Another problem is the inability to probe beyond the answers which
have been provided by the participants (unless follow-up focus groups/qualitative
interviews are conducted in order to expand on other issues that might have arisen
after the quantitative analysis of the data). Furthermore, in the case of postal
questionnaires, one does not have control over who answers the questionnaire. Finally,
postal questionnaires are characterized by low response rate:
‘A rule of thumb is that 300 to 400 envelopes and stamps and 160 questionnaires may
be needed for every 100 people in the sample (200 envelopes – outward and return –
being used in the first mail-out).’ (Hoinville and Jowell, 1987: 138).
To summarize this section, with minor modifications a methodology that is similar to
Easton et al. (2007) might be the most efficient and cost-effective way of conducting
the present research project and if such a design is adopted and implemented, it might
also be applicable to hard-to-reach populations such as the homeless. Significant
efforts should also be put into matching the profile of the sample with the one of the
local population in general and where applicable interviews should either be
terminated or not included into the final data analysis if significant variation is found
between the working demographic profile obtained from the census and the one
produced over the period of time during which the fieldwork is taking place. A
modified version of Evans and Fletcher’s (2000) questionnaire has been included as
Appendix 1 at the end of the proposal, though at this stage this should be considered
only as set of questions that will be asked during the pilot stage of the research project,
which are amenable to change if the data collected during this time is considered as
incomprehensive.
Ethical problems
This section of the proposal will only provide a glance at possible ethical problems
that might arise during the project and their potential resolution. As with any research
project, several dimensions which should be considered – any potential harm that
might be inflicted upon participants (physical harm, their development, loss of self-
esteem, stress); lack of informed consent; invasion of privacy and unnecessary
intrusion in participant’s life; deception; preservation of anonymity (Diener and
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Crandall, 1978; BCS Code of Ethics; BSA’ Statement of Ethical Practice). In order to
resolve these problems, at the initial stage the research all participants will be
provided with a comprehensive summary regarding the aim of the research project. A
consent form will be attached to the questionnaires (alternatively, semi-structured
interviews). In order to avoid any unnecessary intrusion and causation of any physical
or mental harm, the participants will be informed they should not provide answers to
questions that they consider as being intrusive in their personal life. Finally, the
participants will be informed that their personal details will not be disclosed to any
third party unless they have given their personal consent prior to that. In case minors
are involved in the research project, special parental consent should be sought.
Conclusion
The current research proposal aims to assess the impact of the neighbourhood
regeneration after the Olympics in the London Borough of Newham. To date, no such
research has been conducted and it would of policy relevance to investigate the
impact of the ‘Olympic legacy’ upon the local population and whether this has made a
long-lasting contribution towards improving the well-being of the borough’s residents.
The topic of ‘fear of crime’ is one worthy of consideration and especially in the
current climate of declining crime rates, as the level of the former seems to be
independent of the latter (Ditton et al. 1998).
Appendix (1) Proposed Questionnaire/structure of interview process
(adapted from Evans and Fletcher, 2000)
1. How much of a problem in your area are people using drugs?
2. How much of a problem in your area are drunks or tramps on the street?
3. How much of a problem in your area are vandalism, graffiti and deliberate
damage to property?
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4. How much of a problem in your area are homes and gardens in bad condition?
5. How much of a problem in your area are noisy neighbours?
6. How much of a problem in your area are racially motivated attacks?
7. How much of a problem in your area is rubbish and litter lying about?
8. How much of a problem in your area are teenagers hanging around the streets?
9. What would you say is your main source of information about crime?
10. First reply
11. Second reply
12. Do you take a daily newspaper?
13. National newspaper
14. How accurately do you think the media portray crime in terms of the number
of times that different crimes occur?
15. How accurately do you think the media portray crime in terms of the people
who are the main victims of crime?
16. In the last 14 months have you or members of your household been the victim
of a crime/offence
17. In the 14 months do you know anyone who is not a member of your household
who has been the victim of a crime or more than one crime?
18. How well do you think that you can cope with the consequences of being a
victim of crime?
19. How well do you think that you can cope with the consequences of being a
victim of personal crime?
20. How well do you think that you can cope with the consequences of being a
victim of property crime?
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21. How well do you think that you can protect yourself against personal crime?
22. How well do you think that you can protect yourself against property crime?
23. How likely do you think it is that within the next (12 months) year you could
have your home broken into and something stolen?
24. How likely do you think it is that within the next (12 months) year you could
have your car damaged by vandals?
25. How likely do you think it is that within the next (12 months) year you could
have your car stolen?
26. How likely do you think it is that within the next (12 months) year you could
have things stolen from your car?
27. How likely do you think it is that within the next (12 months) year you could
be raped?
28. How likely do you think it is that within the next (12 months) year you could
have your home damaged by vandals?
29. How likely do you think it is that within the next (12 months) year you could
be mugged and robbed?
30. Overall how satisfied or dissatisfied are you with living in this area?
31. Would you say that this community is changing for the worse?
32. Compared with the rest of the country how much crime would you say there is
in this area?
33. Thinking in particular of your immediate neighbours, how helpful would you
say that they are?
34. In general what kind of neighbourhood would you say that you lived in?
35. How effective do you feel that the police are in clearing up crime and catching
criminals?
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36. Taking everything into account would you say that the police in this area do a
good job or a poor job?
37. How quickly do you feel that the police respond to calls for assistance?
38. How often do you see police men and women patrolling in this area?
39. Age of respondent
40. Total number of children under 16
41. The number of children under 5
42. Age of respondent on leaving full-time education at school/college
43. If respondent is head of household and doesn’t work, did s/he work in the
past?
44. If respondent doesn’t work, what does s/he do?
45. Does the respondent live alone?
46. Marital status
47. How likely is it that you will move from this area within the next two years?
48. Does respondent work?
49. How many years have you lived in this area?
50. Gender of respondent
51. Ethnicity of respondent
52. Nationality of respondent
53. How safe do you feel walking alone in this area after dark?
How safe do you feel alone in your home at night?
54. How worried are you about having your home broken into and something
stolen?
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55. How worried are you about being mugged and robbed?
56. Impact of Olympics on the well-being of respondent
57. Impact of regeneration programme on the well-being of respondent
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