Validating new measures of the fear of crime
Open accessAbstract
This study assesses the scaling properties of some new measures of the fear of crime. The new conceptualization—a range of distinct but related constructs that constitute the fear of crime—comprises the interplay between emotion, risk perception and environmental perception. Data from a small‐scale survey are analysed using confirmatory factor analysis showing good scaling properties of the multiple indicators. Two implications of the new conceptualization for the rationality of the fear of crime are discussed. First, perceptions of the risk of crime seem to be a product of how individuals make sense of their social and physical environment. Second, the fear of crime may constitute such evaluations of community cohesion and moral consensus as well as specific experiences of ‘fear’ of ‘crime’—a way of seeing as well as a way of feeling. The conclusions consider ramifications for the rationality of the fear of crime, particularly in the context of reassurance policing in England and Wales.
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Numerous studies have questioned whether findings from surveys and phrasing of questions reflect actual perceived safety or fear of crime.
“Numerous studies have questioned the appropriateness of surveys and the phrasing of questions to assess perceptions of safety, questioning whether the findings reflect actual perceived safety or fear of crime (Lee, 2001; Jackson, 2005; Gray et al., 2011).”
From Women's perceived safety in public places and public transport: A narrative review of contributing factors and measurement methods (2025) · cites this paper as Jackson, 2005
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Dubey, S., Bailey, A., & Lee, J. (. (2025) · Cities · doi:10.1016/j.cities.2024.105534 · Cited by 67 · see citing works
- Authors
- Jackson, J.
- Affiliations
- New York University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Jackson, Jonathan
- ORCID
- Jackson, Jonathan
- Venue
- International Journal of Social Research Methodology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2005-10
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 297-315
- ISSN
- 1364-5579 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-5300
- OpenAlex
- W2161174199
- Cited by
- 195
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 24 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 14.58
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- orcid.org
- Locations
- International Journal of Social Research Methodology (publishedVersion)
- London School of Economics and Political Science Research Online (London School of Economics and Political Science) (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Crime Patterns and Interventions
- Social Sciences › Political Science and International Relations › Policing Practices and Perceptions
- Social Sciences › Law › Criminal Justice and Penology
- Keywords
- fear of crime, scale validation, risk perception, environmental perception, emotions, community cohesion, moral consensus, reassurance policing
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