Crime, fear and risk

In the context of a world post September 11th 2001, and the events that have ensued, an understanding of the nature and impact of the ‘risk society’ (Giddens, 1991; Beck, 1992) is ever more pertinent. It is in the light of these developments that in this chapter we shall explore the relationship between crime, fear and risk. In order to do this we shall first pay some attention to the recent history of the ‘fear of crime’ debate, and then we shall move on to consider some of the strengths and weaknesses associated with that debate as viewed through a gendered lens. This will lead us to a critical consideration of the criminological use of the notion of risk and return us to the question of the contemporary experience of the ‘risk society’.