Gender is an important variable in the field of fear of crime studies. The problem of fear of crime with respect to gender is significant in the sense that women have a higher fear of crime despite being less victimized than men. The term fear of crime to others and restrictive behaviors adopted among both sexes have been investigated. The method used is qualitative. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with twenty men and women aged 15 years and above in Tehran. Purposive sampling method was used in the selection of sample people taking into account the most variations. Data analysis was done using structural coding. The results of the study showed that, in general, fear of crime is socially constructed, both in its personal form and in the form of fear of crime for others, and objective conditions do not have much effect on creating fear of crime, and limited behaviors in response to each These two fears are adopted by men and women.Keywords: fear of crime, gender, fear of crime for others, limited behavior

Security and reduction in fear of crime are two distinct phenomena which significantly contribute to quality of social life. Provision of security is among the greatest responsibilities of governments; however, security will not be established unless a sense of security, or in other words, a reduced level of fear of crime is achieved. Therefore, the police, as a collection of trained, armed, equipped, and powerful forces, and as a part of criminal justice system, enforce the law and adopt variety of approaches to control fear of crime. The present study attempts to describe the problem of fear of crime and to examine the role of community-based and traditional policing in controlling (i.e. reducing) fear of crime. Our findings indicate that (1) controlling the fear of crime through simply traditional policing is not enough for reducing the fear of crime while community-based policing helps tackling crimes and reducing the fear of crime through such approaches as programs for surveillance over neighborhoods, establishment of collective decision making groups, increasing observability, etc. For a example, a research conducted in 12 U.S. cities indicated that although such an approach does not bring positive changes to citizens’ attitude toward the police, however, their views on the impacts of police strategies indirectly influence the fear of crime. Furthermore, traditional policing, which emphasizes response to crime, enforcement, and final and quick punishment, has only influenced public opinions on reduction in fear of crime without actual decline in fear of crime.

The aim of this research is to investigate the situation of the fear of crime and its related social factors among the elderly in the city of Shiraz. This study is done within the framework of a quantitative methodology employing a survey method. The demographic population of the study are the elderly citizens of shiraz, 330 of them were selected through multilevel random sampling. The research tool was a questionnaire, indexes of which were validated through content and factor validity and its reliability was examined by the Cronbach alpha coefficient and test re-test reliability. In the theoretical part of fear of crime, different perspectives of social integration, social capital, demography theories, interpersonal communication and victimology were examined, and the conclusions of this research were determined using such frameworks. According to the findings of this research, the fear of crime among the elderly citizens of Shiraz was estimated to be average in the measurement scale of the research. The analysis of the content variables showed that respondents were significantly different in terms of the fear of crime based on different variables of age, gender, marriage, and level of education.  The fear of crime increased with an increase in age. A higher level of education reduced the fear of crime and so on. The inferential findings of this research study showed that social capital, as one of the independent variables of the research, affected fear of crime either directly or indirectly. However, its indirect effect was more (on skill) on dependence variable (fear of crime). Skill, as another independent variable of the research, has a direct and significant effect on fear of crime. The analysis of the research conclusions shows that fear of crime as a social phenomenon is prevalent among the elderly across the world both theoretically and experimentally which is affected by different social, mental, and environmental conditions and in order to reduce it among the elderly population, we need to get help from the inherent and individual capacities available in society including non-governmental organizations, media and more, in addition to understanding different aspects of it.

The article deals with the fear of crime and the media consumption effects on it. The research data were collected through survey employing questionnaire. The research population encompasses all citizens at 15 years and older in Tehran. Sampling conducted based on Multi-stage cluster method and the number of 1196. Theoretical framework is based on cultivation theory arguing: the more people watch television the more they fear of crime. The results indicate that although overall media consumption is not related to fear of crime, but the use of new media (Internet, satellite channels and virtual social networks) is related to the fear of crime. In addition although nonlinear and weak, tracing crime news from mass media significantly associated with fear of crime. Furthermore, although tracing crime news from mass media doesnt lead to more fear of homicide crimes, significantly increases the fear of financial crimes.

Mass media have assumed great importance in the lives of contemporary human so much so that it is impossible to deny their influence. All social groups compete to get ever more access to this means of power. One area in which the media can have enormous impact, due to their widespread usage, is the area of fear of crime. Therefore, the present paper, using a survey design, aims to assess the influence of the media on the fear of crime in the city of Karaj. The research population consisted of all Karaji residents who were above 18 years of age, of which 405 individuals were chosen using a multi-stage cluster sampling design. A questionnaire was used to collect the necessary data. The results showed that there was a direct and positive relation fear of crime and watching domestic television (r= 0.105), watching foreign television channels (r=0.111), and reading printed media (r=0.213). It was also shown that Internet usage and listening to domestic radio was not statistically related to fear of crime. Of the different variables, reading printed media had the largest impact (Beta=0.182) on fear of crime.

This article aims to investigate the level and factors affecting fear of crime in two different regions of Mashhad. Samples of 228 persons living in these regions were selected with multistage sampling survey method. The 4th region is located in the poorest part of Mashhad while the 9th region is one of the richest parts of Mashhad. The findings indicate that fear of crime among persons living in region 4, was higher than the other region. Factors affecting fear of crime in these two areas include: the social disorganization, lack of trust on police and diversity of subcultures. In addition, in relation to media consumption and social bonds these two regions are different. In repeated victims, fear of crime was a bit more than other people. Also, there is a relationship between some demographic variables (such as sex, education and marital status) and fear of crime.

Sense of public security are an important social and psychological phenomenon in creating a peace in people .Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between fear of crime and paranoid thoughts with sense of public security in citizens. Population of this study included all citizens over 18 years of Sari among them 305 citizens were selected through multi-stage cluster sampling method based on Morgan and Krejcie randomization table and completed the scales of fear of crime, paranoid thoughts and sense of public security. These tools were satisfactory reliability and validity. Data analysis was conducted using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis using software 21-SPSS. The findings showed that there is a negative correlation between fear of crime and paranoia thought with sense of public security. Also, multiple regression analysis showed that there is multiple correlation between fear of crime and paranoia thought with sense of public security. According to findings can be said that police can provide appropriate programs to reduce the fear of crime and paranoid thoughts and to increase the sense of security of the citizens

As crime rates have rapidly increased globally, crime prevention has received a great deal of attention among scholars in recent years. Neighbourhoods play a significant role in the lives of those who live and socialise within their boundaries, and how they interact in the neighbourhood environment. Certain characteristics of the neighbourhood can affect residents’ perceptions towards neighbourhood problems. Both the social and physical conditions of the neighbourhood may affect the perception of the residents on the surrounding environment. The incivilities thesis posits that signs of incivilities contribute to an increase in the fear of crime. Despite the theory that management of incivilities can make safer communities, the empirical literature on examining the indirect effect of the incivilities thesis is limited. Interventions require a better understanding of the neighbourhood correlates of both cognitive (perceived risk) and affective (fear of crime) responses to crime. The affective dimension of fear of crime refers to the emotional responses to fear of being a victim of specific crime types, while the cognitive dimension refers to risk of crime victimisation. This study examines the associations between disorder, perceived risk and fear of crime by considering gender as a control variable in a sample of 160 residents in Penang, Malaysia. Five research hypotheses were put forward and tested using the structural equation modelling on a priori hypothesised theoretical model. The effect of perceptions of disorder on perceived risk and fear of crime was investigated. Of particular interest in this investigation was the possible contextual effect of gender on the residents’ perception of their neighbourhood. The results of structural equation modelling reveal that high disorder is positively associated with perceived risk and fear of crime. Likewise, perceived risk mediates the relationship between disorder and fear of crime. Consistent with prior research, women perceived higher levels of disorder, perceived risk and fear of crime. This would suggest that women perceived their immediate surroundings in negative terms and they are the gender more fearful of crime. This may presumably refer to a lack of physical strength, less mobility for this group of people and reinforced beliefs of vulnerability through communication, behaviour and interactions. In addition, over time, the results of the present study provide empirical support for the initial classic theory, incivilities thesis. In fact, lowering the level of crime is not the only way of alleviating risk perceptions and fear, particularly amongst women. Although we do not claim that fear is independent of direct victimisation, other factors such as environmental factors can play a significant role in mitigating fear of crime. Therefore, based on the study findings, we suggest that local planning authorities need to pay attention to such important matters in neighbourhoods as street lighting provision and maintenance, eliminating concealed spots, designing streetscapes to enhance visibility, and last but not least increasing the visibility of the police to citizens.

Fear of crime Fear, social insecurity, panic and anxiety about oneself, family, relatives, friends and interactive networks (close-knit groups) in the face of environmental threats (strife, theft, murder, social harassment and victimization). They) refers. Fear of crime in Ardabil due to the prevalence of social problems and harms, more severe pain. Tunisian theory holds that the reason for fear of crime is the reduction of social belonging. The purpose of this study is to study the relationship between social belonging and fear of crime in Ardabil. The research method is survey (quantitative). The sample size was determined by sample powe equal to 278 people and was distributed among the citizens by random sampling method. The level of validity and reliability of the indicators has also been confirmed. The results show that with decreasing social belonging, fear of crime among residents also increases, as well as local cohesion with beta (-0.154), local participation (-0.203), neighborhood identity (-0.182), social awareness (-0.262) and Local trust with beta (-0.173) had a significant effect on fear of crime. Accordingly, by increasing social belonging (creating local and practical social institutions, defensible space in residential complexes and neighborhoods, creating a local board of trustees and neighborhood guards, re-creating environmental social capital and increasing interaction between law enforcement, public and private institutions with residents Creating new social control and collective defense through social commitment and collective sensitivity to social security) can reduce fear of crime.

Different sociological theories are suggested to explain the fear of crime. These theories account variables such as disorganization, media effects, victimization, ecological variables for the explanation of the phenomenon. This paper aims to examine the implications of disorganization theory for the fear of crime. A sample of adults inhabitants of two districts of Tehran (district 3 and 12) were interviewed in a survey study. These two districts are quite different with regard to physical and social disorganization. While district three is an influent well organized area, district 12 is in an opposite situation. The variable of fear of crime was considered as a two dimensional phenomenon including feeling of security and worry of crime. Disorganization comprised of disorder, social worry, subculture diversities, neighborhood bonds, neighborhood attachment. These variables were measured by a 5 point Likert scale. Fear of crime among the inhabitants of are 12 was more than that of the inhabitants of area 3. The feelings of disorganization, except that of neighborhood bonds, among the inhabitants of are 12 were also more than those of the inhabitants of area 3. The data also revealed that there were a significant relationship between perceived disorganization and fear of crime. These findings give significant support to the disorganization theory and are consistent with the previous studies. The only odd result is the positive relationship between neighborhood bonds and fear of crime. This may be explained by the social fabric of inhabitants of area 12. That is, they are mostly immigrants of rural and small cities which still have more connection with their neighbors while the social and physical disorganization of their area cause more fear of crime, they still have their neighborhood ties.