Those who have experienced a crime and those who know others who have been a victim may have a greater fear of crime. The 1996 Hackney Residents survey identified that there are neighbourhood differences in crime fear. It is possible that these differences reflect the visibility of certain crimes and victim rates. The Hackney Residents Survey also identified the top three crime worries in the borough as burglary, violence against the person and street robbery. The Safer Streets Survey reported street robbery, drugs and burglary as the crimes, people were most concerned about.
Young people are also the victims of crime and worry about becoming a victim of crime.
Fear of crime does not accurately reflect the likelihood of becoming a victim of that crime. The actual risk of becoming a victim is well below the level of anxiety expressed by members of the community. Analysis Fear of crime is greater than the likelihood of becoming a victim but nevertheless represents an expression of concern which can prevent people from living a fulfilling and enjoyable life. Fear of crime cannot be simply dismissed as unrealistic but must be dealt with. Part of the fear of crime is based upon people's recognition of the dangers that crime can cause and part is a reaction to the media's representation and emphasis of those dangers.