Fear of crime is at historically low levels but we are not complacent and acknowledge that older people continue to have a high level of fear of crime despite the relatively low risk of them becoming victims of crime.
Previous work to lower this level of fear amongst older people has focused on addressing the misperceptions about crime by promoting the facts about crime levels, and encouraging common-sense precautions which individuals can take to prevent becoming a victim. This has been achieved by working with charities such as Help the Aged and Age Concern to find new and better ways of tackling fear among the older population, as well as tackling the crimes committed against them.
In addition, we are working to improve public confidence and, in turn, fear of crime. The roll out of neighbourhood policing will impact significantly on confidence in the police. Greater community engagement, more visible policing in communities and increased local accountability of crime and disorder reduction partnerships will all aid the reduction of fear of crime amongst the elderly.