Estimating the Economic and Social Costs of the Fear of Crime

• NCJ Number: 217161
• Journal: British Journal of Criminology Volume: 47 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2007 Pages: 121-132
• Author(s): Paul Dolan; Tessa Peasgood
• Date Published: January 2007
• Length: 12 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

This paper investigates a methodology for costing the fear of crime and provides estimates of the costs arising from the anticipation of possible victimization.

Abstract

These losses from the fear of crime, as well as all costs arising from the anticipation of possible victimization are not likely to be stable, and may fluctuate with factors other than the risk of victimization, such as political maneuvering, attention paid to crime in the media, actions of the police and actions of neighbors. They may also vary according to an individual’s physical and psychological health. Tangible costs incurred from anticipating possible crime should include costs incurred from changes in behavior to reduce risk of victimization, such as additional transport expenditures. There are no data available to enable an estimation of the intangible costs from changes in behavior from anticipating future crime. Previous research provided a methodology for estimating the intangible costs (or losses in quality of life) from violent crime. Tables, references