Fear of crime among the South African public

Abstract

Fear of crime is recognized as one of the more adverse social and psychological consequences of crime leading to anxiety, mistrust. and a disruption of community and social life. Previous studies have found high levels of fear of crime among the South African public but little is known about the factors contributing to these high levels of fear. In this study a multivariate technique was used to analyse data relating to fear of crime in South Africa. The data were obtained from nationwide surveys for Whites, Coloureds, and Indians while the Black survey was restricted to the PWV area. The personal characteristics of age and sex. as well as area of residence (city or town). were found to be unimportant in explaining fear of crime. The most important predictors were socio-economic status, perceived seriousness of crime in the community, and experience of victimization. In addition important differences were found between the subsamples and this is explained in terms of neighbourhood differences. The findings indicate support for the cognitive model of fear of crime in which fear of crime is seen as a rational response to a perceived threat.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Keith Smith

To whom correspondence should be addressed