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UK: Fear of
Crime 'Trapping
Elderly' By Dominic Casciani, BBC News Online May 20, 2003
Perceptions: Witnessing one incident can heighten fears UK
- The elderly are allowing themselves to become prisoners in their own
homes because of a completely unrealistic fear of street crime, warns a
leading charity. Age
Concern says a survey of 4,000 older people found almost half of those
aged over 75 were too afraid to leave their homes after dark because they
believed they would be subject to verbal abuse or mugging. Two
thirds said believed they would inevitably become victims of crime as they
got older - while a fifth said this fear had contributed to a sense of
loneliness and isolation. The
results mirror other research which suggests fear of crime is completely
at odds with experience. Anti-social
behaviour
According
to the Home Office-backed British Crime Survey (BCS), people aged over 60
are less likely to become victims of crime than those in other age groups. But pensioners - especially
older women - were found to be worried about crime and personal safety.
Cases such as that of 84-year-old Catherine Wrenn,
who died after being mugged for £13, appear to leave people with a
disproportionate sense of levels of crime. Age
Concern followed up these 2002 BCS findings with a survey of attitudes in
England. While
nine out of 10 elderly people told the survey they enjoyed living in their
neighbourhood, a quarter said street crime was a big problem where they
lived. Two-thirds
of those who had been mugged or assaulted had reported the crime. But half
that number were prepared to tell the police about anti-social behaviour
such as verbal abuse. Almost
four out of 10 over-50s said they no longer ventured out to social events
after dark because of fear of crime - a figure which rose with the age
group of the respondents. Almost
three quarters of the respondents said they believed their risk of being
affected by crime increased year-on-year. Priorities
demanded
Asked
what they wanted to help them combat this fear, respondents demanded more
police on the beat, better street lighting and more effective policies
against anti-social behaviour. Others
called for more work to help the young better understand the needs and
concerns of the old. Frank
Peduzzi, 73, a member of an inter-generational project in Edmonton, north
London, said a lack of trust between the old and young contributed to
fear. "When
we were in our groups, talks were focused around drink, drugs, sex and the
community," said Mr Peduzzi. "The
young people were reticent and very inhibited with us. It was a real
shame. "But
even the young people said they were cautious about walking after dark.
The older people I know, to a person, will not go out in the evenings. "One
or two incidents will colour their perceptions of the dangers - whether it
is vandalism, or overhearing swearing. "Newspapers
are always quick to point out if an older person is a victim.
Sensationalising crime is one reason for the build-up of fear." Gordon
Lishman, director-general of Age Concern England said: "Fear of
street crime has trapped many older people inside their own four walls. "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." Copyright
© 2002 Global Action on Aging |
