Fear of crime | RAC WA » About us » Community » Community safety » My community » Fear of crime

Fear of crime

Ways to combat fear of crime

  • Designing out crime strategies can be implemented and includes relatively simple measures like additional lighting which can increase feelings of safety at night and minimise perceived 'hiding spots' for criminals.
  • Overseas research indicates that some people hold irrational fears about groups of people that they feel are ‘different' from themselves and could be minimised by appropriate education.
  • The media often tends to sensationalise individual episodes of crime can lead to a heightened and often irrational fear of crime in the community.
  • More research into causal factors (geographic and demographic) for fear of crime and clear identification of groups at risk is needed.

Violence

  • Violence can take many forms including assault, domestic violence (also called familial violence) or bullying.
  • This violence may either be physical or psychological in nature. 
  • It can be difficult to ascertain exactly how often violence happens because it is not usually reported to police.
  • According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 21 percent of respondents said the incident was too trivial to report and 15 percent said they would take care of the matter themselves and that of those women assaulted, 73 percent knew their attacker and may fear further attacks if they report the incident.
  • Research suggests that violence is statistically skewed with regard to social class, age and gender for both the offender and the victim.
  • Violence can have a pronounced effect on fear of crime regardless of whether someone has been directly or indirectly impacted by violence.
  • It isn't easy to ‘lock violence out' of our community as we might a burglar - but there are some community-wide strategies  that can be used to combat violence and anti-social behaviour including Designing Out Crime and addressing over-consumption of alcohol.

Robbery

  • Offenders target people who look vulnerable - if you look uneasy then it may attract their attention. Try to look confident - even though you may not be.
  • Bag snatching is a crime of opportunity - reduce the opportunity and you will reduce the possibility of it happening to you.
  • When walking along the street or in the shopping centre, hold your bag close to you.
  • Try to avoid handbags with long straps - these are easier to grab than short ones.
  • When walking along the footpath, keep your bag away from the road edge. 
  • If your bag is grabbed it is best to let it go. Nothing in your bag could be as valuable as your safety.
  • Try to keep the number of valuables in your bag to a minimum.
  • Keep a list of valuables in your bag so if it is taken you can accurately report the contents lost to police.
  • When in a café or restaurant, do not leave your bag on the seat next to you, on the floor at your side or hung on the back of the chair. 
  • When grocery shopping never leave your bag unattended in the shopping trolley.
  • If you see someone acting suspicious while you are using an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM):
    • Use your body to shield the keypad so they don't see you enter your PIN number or cancel the transaction altogether.
    • If you think someone is following you after withdrawing cash, walk confidently to an area that is has lots of people.
    • Do not count your money at the ATM.
    • If you need to use an ATM when it is dark - choose one that is well lit and not isolated.

If you are robbed

  • If you are attacked it is important to ask yourself whether it is worth placing your own safety at risk for the sake of property that can be easily replaced. 
  • Note the description of the attacker and report the incidence to police as soon as possible.
  • Write down everything that you can remember after the incident about the robber and the crime itself.
  • Important details can include the following:
    • Height of the robber.
    • Weight.
    • Colour of hair and eyes.
    • Scars or tattoos.
    • Accent.
    • Clothing.
    • Try to remember exactly what the robber said.
    • Try to remember details of a car if one was involved.

Disclaimer: this information is provided by Royal Automobile Club (WA) Inc (RAC) voluntarily as a public service. It has been prepared in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of publication. Nonetheless, the reliability and accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed and the RAC expressly disclaims liability for any act or omission done or not done in reliance on the information and for any consequences, whether direct or indirect, arising from such act or omission. This information is intended to be a guide only and readers should obtain their own independent advice and their own necessary inquiries.