Public transport, including trains, buses and stations, was the greatest source of fear for most people, especially when travelling late at night. The visible lack of staff on trains and at stations increased fear. Young people are actually more fearful of crime than has been recognised in the past. They are particularly afraid of other groups of young people, especially on public transport. Young women frequently experience sexual harassment and are fearful of sexual assault.
Young men are most fearful of physical assault from particular sub-groups of other young men.
Many of them still go out at night and use public transport. Women learn from an early age about the risks of sexual assault and harassment and are most afraid of these crimes. This fear is rational in the context of lifetime experiences of sexual harassment. Older people are actually less fearful of crime than was previously thought. They are afraid of property crime and home invasions, but are less afraid of physical assault.