Fear of crime can affect anyone. Our fears about crime are influenced by the media, our perceptions and attitudes (including our self esteem), our past experiences (if we have been a victim of crime) and our environment (poor street lighting, the look of streets, graffiti, burnt out cars etc.). All these things can make us feel a bit more on edge, as they suggest that there may be a lot more crime happening than there actually is.

Issues which increase fear of crime

• Living in an area of high crime
• Having already been a victim of crime
• Feeling vulnerable
• Being poorly informed and not knowing what they risks are
• Feeling powerless and isolated
• Been subject to constant anti social behaviour, bullying or victimisation

Without the proper information and knowledge the fear of crime can make us worry about things we don’t need to and not pay attention to real threats and concerns. For example, parents worry about children being abducted and abused, when statistics and research show that children and young people are far more likely to be abused by someone they know and the risks of being abducted are very low.

Advice for young people

Whether it’s parents who feel anxious about sending their child up the road to buy sweets or a young person who tenses up when they walk through the park on their own, if we let it, the fear of crime can have a devastating effect on our quality of life.

Having an awareness of the risks and dangers associated with something is always good. Then you can use your judgment, based upon knowledge and information, to decide what is best. Check out the other pages on this website to find out more about different crimes and safety issues which could affect your life.

If you are ever afraid of anything it is always best to speak to someone about your fear to help put it into perspective. This could be a friend, parent, family member, teacher, Connexions PA, youth worker or someone you trust. They could help you make sure that you take what steps you can so you do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk.

Links

www.crimereduction.gov.uk/toolkits/fc00.htm

The Crime Reduction website has been created by the Government and provides everyone with a range of information about crime and safety. They have developed a toolkit which specifically explains the nature of the fear of crime, how it can happen and what can be done about it.

www.caddie.gov.uk/

CADDIE stands for Crime and Disorder Data Information Exchange and is a website that brings together crime and disorder data from different partnership agencies including the police, fire service and ambulance service. An interactive mapping wizard allows you to view crime in Brighton & Hove by ward area, and a postcode lookup facility will show you how many incidents have been recorded within 1km of your home postcode in the last month.

www.sussex.police.uk

Website for Sussex Police which gives you information about the Police, what they are doing in Brighton & Hove and across Sussex, how to report crime and make complaints.

www.safeinthecity.net

Brighton & Hove's Community Safety Team website, which tells you about the crime and disorder priorities set by the council and police in the city. This gives you information about what the council and police are planning to do to improve the safety of people in the city.

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

The City Council website can also provide more advice and information about crime and disorder in the city and provide links to other services and websites which can help.

www.pmsafetycard.co.uk

The Personal and Mobile Safety website is dedicated to giving security and safety advice to protect people when out and about, provide security for mobile phones and give advice about keeping safe.