Contact: Miranda Yates or Susanna Mordaunt

Telephone: 020 8765 7200
Out of Hours: 07071 243 243

Age Concern survey shows: Fear of street crime sentences older people to a life inside

Thousands of the UK’s older people are sentenced to a life inside four walls because they fear street crime. In the country’s largest ever survey of the fear of street crime amongst older people, 37% of over 50s and 47% of over 75s said they are too afraid to leave the house at night because they are afraid of verbal abuse and mugging.

An unprecedented 4,000 older people responded to the Age Concern questionnaire. Asked to give their ‘wish list’ for reducing fear of street crime in Britain,61% demanded more police on the beat or more visible policing. They also called for better street lighting, safer public transport, more CCTV surveillance and an improved understanding between young and old.

In reality the chances of becoming a victim of street crime in later life are slimmer than at any other time in people’s lives. Yet two-thirds of older people believe that they are more likely to fall victim to street crime as they grow older, with 18% admitting that fear of crime had left them feeling lonely and isolated.

Despite their fears, older people have proved that they are themselves a strong resource in the battle against crime and fear of crime. The majority of older people report street crime (66%) and 60% said they would like more information about crime prevention schemes.

Age Concern is calling on policy makers, crime prevention agencies and their partners to use the resources of older people in their efforts to develop crime prevention and to eliminate a culture of fear.

Gordon Lishman, Age Concern England’s Director-General, said: “ Fear of street crime has trapped many older people inside their own four walls, putting them at risk of loneliness and isolation. It is not only older people who stand to lose out by being prisoners of fear, but also the wider community.

“Communities, who rely on older people’s skills, experience and voluntary work are missing out on a valuable resource.”

Debora Singer, Policy Manager at Victim Support said: "We are very concerned by the results of Age Concern's survey. Older people are effectively becoming prisoners in their own homes, but the reality is their fear is out of proportion to the risk. We need to help older people feel safer on the streets and fully support Age Concern's campaign.”

Age Concern’s recommendations to reduce older peoples’ fear of street crime include:

• Increasing the visible presence of law-enforcement agencies on the streets, including police beat patrols and neighbourhood community wardens; Providing more adequate street lighting and other environmental measures, such as CCTV cameras in public areas;
• Encouraging and supporting older people to participate directly in schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch and Crime stoppers;
• Considering the specific needs and wishes of older people in police and crime prevention initiatives to reduce fear of crime;
• Creating more intergenerational programmes to foster trust and understanding between older and young people.
  
  

Age Concerns across the country help older people fight the ‘fear factor’ by offering advice on crime prevention. Some also run community projects that bring older and younger people together to build a stronger community through understanding and trust.

Ends

Notes to Editors

• The full Age Concern survey was carried out in October/November 2002. 196 Age Concerns took part. A total of 8,106 questionnaires were distributed, and nearly 4,000 were returned. A sample of 1,857 were analysed to obtain an even geographical distribution of response.

• Regional differences
  

Of those who said that fear of crime means that I no longer take part in community / social activities after dark, people in the South West came out with the highest fear 39%, with people in the Eastern Region and East Anglia, coming out second highest at 38%. People in the North East were least likely to stay in after dark because of fear of crime 31%.

• Members of the public can order copies of the survey report, ‘The Fear Factor: Older people and fear of street crime - A survey of views, experiences and impact on quality of life.’ by calling 020 8765 7429. The price of the report is £10.

• Age Concern has a free factsheet, ‘Crime prevention for older people’, number 33, available from Age Concern’s Information and Advice Line on 0800 009966. It is also available on-line at www.ageconcern.org.uk. Age Concerns locally may also be able to give crime prevention advice.

• A summary of research findings is also available on www.ageconcern.co.uk

• Age Concern spokespeople are available for interview. Please call Miranda Yates or Susanna Mordaunt in the media unit to arrange an interview on:
  Tel: 020 8765 7200. Age Concern has an ISDN facility.

• Case studies of older people who are happy to talk about their views and experiences of street crime may be available. Please call Miranda Yates or Susanna Mordaunt on:
  Tel: 020 8765 7200.

• Age Concern operates intergenerational programmes in various regions across the country. Many have been set up to help combat the fear of crime within communities by bringing together social groups which mistrust each other. For further information, please call Miranda Yates or Susanna Mordaunt in the media unit on:
  Tel: 020 8765 7200.