Why does the public still fear crime despite falling rates?

Question

Accepted Answer

Public Continues to Fear Crime Despite Declining Rates

Despite official statistics indicating a reduction in crime, the public's perception of safety remains a significant concern. The Inspector-General of Police has acknowledged this disparity, noting that a persistent sense of insecurity among citizens persists even when they are aware of decreasing crime figures. To address this, the police force plans to enhance its engagement with the public across the nation.
Declining Crime Statistics

Official data shows a notable decrease in crime rates. In 2017, the overall crime index saw an 11.7 per cent drop compared to the preceding year. This reduction was attributed to a decrease of 960 cases, or 4.3 per cent, in violent crimes, and a more substantial 12,226 cases, or 13.6 per cent, in property crimes. Furthermore, between January 1 and March 15 of the current year, the crime index had fallen by 9.7 per cent, with violent crimes down by 16.2 per cent and property crimes by 7.9 per cent.
Persistent Public Fear

The Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, highlighted that the public's fear of crime continues to be a prevailing issue. He stated that the police must recognise that the public does not feel entirely safe, irrespective of their awareness of the falling crime statistics. This persistent fear suggests a gap between reported crime data and the lived experiences or perceived safety of individuals.
Increased Public Engagement Initiatives

In response to this ongoing concern, the entire police agency is set to increase its engagement with the public. The objective of these enhanced interactions is to build public confidence and to demonstrate the extensive efforts being undertaken to address crime and the issues faced by citizens nationwide. These initiatives are intended to reassure the public of the police's commitment to their safety and security.
Fleet Modernisation Underway

While focusing on public perception and engagement, the police are also undertaking a significant upgrade of their vehicle assets. Approximately 90 per cent of their aged vehicles, those exceeding 10 years old, are slated for replacement. This process is being implemented in stages across various departments, although the pace has not met initial expectations. The modernisation of the fleet is a gradual, multi-year undertaking, estimated to take five years or more, to ensure the effectiveness and safety of personnel, particularly elite response teams, during operations.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Why does the public still fear crime despite falling rates?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends