The Austrian Security Barometer
Since 2006 the Kuratorium (KfV) conducts a survey every year to get an overview of the most important matters in the field of security and property crime in Austria, together with the renowned OGM-institute for market research. In a nation-wide sample of 500 persons the survey (interviews via telephone) concentrates on topics such as sense of security, burglary, theft and other property-crime related figures.
In 2007 the study showed that the level of „fear of crime“ is still very low in Austria. Only 5% of the people in the sample said they were „very concerned“ about crime. 59% answered, they would not feel concerned at all. The fear of crime was mostly caused by dramatic media coverage, but the interviewed persons also felt alarmed because of the rising incidents of burglary. A high feeling of security in the own neighborhood and quarter is responsible for the relatively high level of security.
Burglary is the offense the Austrians are most concerned about. About one third (35%) of the interviewees were worried about this form of crime. About 14% said they had been victim of a burglary in their lifetime. The offense burglary has a tremendous influence of the feeling of safety. Of those, who had been victim of a burglary, 55% were “very” or “fairly” concerned about crime in general, whereas only 36% of persons who never experienced a burglary showed this level of concern.
Neighbours who take a close look at the home in times of absence, such as during the holidays, can be a very important factor to reduce offences like burglary. 80% of the persons in the sample said they relied on neighbors as a form of security measure. Especially elderly people rely on this cheap and also effective method of social control to increase the security in and around their homes. It is not about spying what is going on at your neighbour’s, but rather keeping an eye on your surrounding houses and area, to show some responsibility for the quarter you live in. Neighbours can also empty the letter boxes and remove advertising material from the doors not to show an obvious absence to a potential burglar.
