ABSTRACT
Fear of crime is a complex phenomenon requiring complex measurement. Survey methods capture but part of the affective, cognitive and situational complexities of worry about crime. In this chapter, we use data from perceptions of safety and fear of crime research in Sydney, Australia, to show how using a multi-methods approach can articulate these fears with greater complexity. Developing a more nuanced understanding of such fears can provide better detail on which to base tailored interventions. We conclude by suggesting that narratives of fear of crime are vital for both understanding the complex ways in which people experience worry about crime, and how we might most effectively reduce it.
