What does fear of crime typically refer to?

Fear of crime typically refers to the state of community anxiety regarding safety and the potential for criminal activity. This concept encompasses not just fear of actual victimization, but also the psychological impact that crime can have on the perception of safety within a community. When individuals or groups feel that their environment is unsafe, it can lead to heightened anxiety levels, changes in behavior, and a general sense of unease, regardless of whether crime rates in the area are high or low.

This differs from other aspects like anxiety regarding police presence, which may reflect specific concerns about law enforcement rather than a broader fear of crime itself. Confidence in law enforcement indicates a belief in the effectiveness of police and does not relate to fear, while the reduction of criminal activities is a result that could ideally mitigate fear of crime but does not address the feeling itself. Thus, the option describing community anxiety regarding safety and criminal activity best captures the essence of what fear of crime represents.