ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENTS AND THE FEAR OF CRIME - THE SAD CASE OF THE POND AREA IN GLASGOW

Studies investigating the positive effect that improved street lightin g has on crime and the fear of crime have become remarkably popular. I mpressive results have regularly been reported. However, while most us e the 'before-and-after' interview format, many neglect to have a long enough follow-up period or to control for the effect that interviewin g at different times of the year may have. The study reported here is based on a twelve-month follow-up period, and controls exactly for tim e of year at follow-up interview stage. Further, in addition to religh ting the area surrounding the homes of respondents, other external env ironmental improvements were effected, and the security precautions of the homes of respondents were substantially improved. In spite of thi s, little improvement in victimization or fear of victimization could be documented. Some improvement might have been noticed had respondent s been consulted when the nature and type of improvements were being p lanned. It is more likely that improved street lighting is no panacea for all ills, and may only be effective under certain conditions.