Fear of Crime

A particularly difficult problem to overcome, and one of our main priorities, is that of fear of crime. We who live in this part of the country are fortunate because we don’t suffer the levels of crime which exists in inner city areas but that fear of crime is real and often disproportionate. It can have a serious and paralysing effect on people within our communities. It is especially the vulnerable who are affected – older people, disabled people and, increasingly, young people.

The CDRP has agreed to adopt 6 Strategic Priorities for the period 1 April 2002 – 31 March 2005.  As one of our 'Strategic Priorities' the aim of the group is to reduce crime, the fear of crime and disorder within the Borough, and to educate our communities with the true extent of crime and disorder.

The results of the 2001 Northumberland Crime Survey undertaken by MORI demonstrated that despite clear evidence of falling crime and reinforcement of the reality that the Borough is one of the safest low-crime areas in the UK, the CDRP is still faced with a difficult task in reassuring the public, and increasing confidence and a sense of well-being.

Analysis of the Crime Audit summary questionnaire, which will be distributed to every residential and business address in the Borough between April – June 2002, may reinforce this impression.

Living in a low-crime area, why do people feel unsafe or fearful of crime?

In practice, people fear crime because of a feeling of isolation or because they are afraid that they are at risk of becoming a victim.

The CDRP will need to take into account some of the factors which can influence an individual’s fear of crime, including:

• They live alone;
• They have a low income and cannot afford travel or leisure pursuits;
• They have no access to transport;
• They live in an isolated rural area;
• They have a disability or illness;
• They have been a victim of a crime;
• They have no access to community facilities or local information;
• They are the victim of domestic violence;
• They are a member of a minority group.

Residents of a particular neighbourhood may feel unsafe because:

• They live in a neighbourhood in which crime rates are higher than average for the area;
• Their home is not well secured;
• They are intimidated by anti-social behaviour;
• Their home or neighbourhood is poorly designed;
• There is inadequate lighting in public areas;
• There is no visible policing;
• They are frightened by reports of crime in the media;
• They live near to a fast or dangerous road;
• The area has become rundown or derelict;
• They have witnessed crime.

CDRP Objectives:

To reduce fear of crime to a level which is commensurate with actual crime levels in the Borough.

Key Actions:

• Maintenance and development of existing crime reduction schemes;
• CCTV system to be maintained, and enhanced where possible;
• Promotion of good news stories as a means of reassuring the public and increasing confidence.
• Target-hardening and designing out crime;
• Promotion of personal safety initiatives;
• Evaluation of national best practice and cherry-picking appropriate measures for local implementation.

Go to the Your Safety section for advice on how to keep safe in your home, in the street, in your business and the safety of your vehicle.

Useful Links:

Victim of Crime
If your fear stems from being a victim of crime, then the organisation Victim Support will be able to help you.  You can find then online at http://www.victimsupport.org/.

Crime Concern
Crime Concern is a national crime reduction organisation and registered charity, set up to provide advice and help to a wide range of professional and voluntary agencies to support their work in reducing crime and the fear of crime within local communities.

Home office/Crime Prevention
Government department which encourages the development of safer communities.

Suzy Lamplugh Trust
A national charity for personal safety, aiming to create a safer society.

Secure your Motor
Whether you've got a car you rely on, a motorbike or scooter that's your pride and joy, or plant vehicles that your business depends on, this website aims to show you how to keep your vehicle safe, secure and, most importantly, yours.

Crime Reduction Statistics and more infomration.

Business Crime Check
An information centre and communication forum for anyone interested in reducing crime against business. The website includes a database of projects and publications which aim to prevent business crime - a source of information, ideas and 'good practice'.