Evaluating crime fears : a research note on a pilot study to improve the measurement of the ‘fear of crime’ as a performance indicator

Numerous projects aim to reduce not only crime but also the fear of crime. Reviews of the survey tools used to measure the fear of crime suggest that these tools may suffer from poor design. It is contended here that as well as suffering from poor design, these tools fail to address a number of important issues which evaluators and policy makers will be interested in: namely the prevalence, frequency and severity of fearful episodes. An alternative question structure that measures prevalence, frequency and severity of fearful episodes, and addresses design faults is discussed herein.