Risk perception as mediator in perceptions of neighbourhood disorder and safety about victimisation

This paper tested a new conceptual model suggesting that risk perception is a significant mediator between perceived neighbourhood disorder and a sense of (un)safety. Three components of risk perception were evaluated: perceived vulnerability, controllability and probability of occurrence of specific offences. Using photo-simulation, three places with different levels of physical and social disorder were created and 120 British students rated the level of disorder, risk and safety of each place. Results showed that risk perception partially mediated the relationship between perceived disorder and safety. Perceived vulnerability was the strongest predictor and mediator in all three places but most significantly in the degraded place. Findings indicated that the more disordered a place is perceived the more a person relies on the perception of risk to estimate how safe she or he might be. Investigating the interpretive processes that occur when people estimate risk and safety, is crucial.