Adolescents' attitudes and behaviours about crime

In September 2005 and 2006, workshops were run where adolescents voiced their concerns, fears and vulnerabilities relating to crime. Approximately 300 young people, 15 to 18 years old, participated, twice as many girls as boys. They were recruited from schools and colleges in Essex, Hertfordshire and London. At the outset of each workshop, they were given brief information about the study of the fear of crime. After normal consents, etc. they were put into groups of 4 or 5 participants. Each group was asked to concentrate on one of 5 key perspectives in discussion and to prepare a poster for display to their colleagues. The perspectives were:
1. Participants were asked to identify things that they worried about related to crime.
2. Participants considered their own actions and the influence that crime may have had on them.
3. Participants were asked to focus on terrorism and whether it has affected their attitudes or behaviours.
4. Participants considered their parents/guardians’ worries that the young people may become victims of crime.
5. Perspective five asked the participants whether there were others about whom, they worried.
Their ideas were wide ranging; whilst some seemed sophisticated and savvy, others could be characterised as disconcertingly naïve. In evaluating the results of these workshops, we show young people on the cusp of adulthood, grappling with issues around their safety; their own potential involvement with crime; how others respond to them and how they view legal authorities.