ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses issues relating to the impact of crime on everyday life, drawing on information about victimisation and its consequences from the many studies conducted in this area. The concepts of security and safety are inextricably interlinked. Safety and security are key issues for users and citizens – and are therefore a topic relevant to the design profession. Some worries focus less on personal safety and more on the security of services used for activities such as purchasing goods, banking and communication. Crime and insecurity are important issues for citizens across Europe, particularly for those living in the UK. Victims of burglary often increase their home security – for instance installing home security systems, better door and window locks and even secure fencing. Adult users of the Internet worry about security, especially for certain uses. From a human-centred perspective, the experience of crime and insecurity results in feelings of 'unsafety' and anxiety.
