Research

Fear of crime is “contagious”, according to a new study.

Concern is perpetuated by the opinion of others and often it does not correspond to the actual likelihood of falling victim to an offence, academics said.

They suggested the findings help to explain how a generalised fear of crime exists in cities and countries with low crime rates.

Study lead Rafael Prieto Curiel, of University College London, said: “The fear of crime can be considered contagious, because social interaction is the mechanism through which fear is shared and chronically worried pop-