Previous research on the relationships between age, sex, ethnic group or previous victimization experience and fear of crime is controversial, as inconsistent results have been obtained, many of them attributable to a lack of methodological and conceptual consensus. We propose the study of self-protective behaviours motivated by fear of crime as a useful alternative that pays attention to the consequences of fear for urban quality of life. A survey with a representative sample of residents in a major city in Spain provides evidence about sex and age differences in self-protective behaviours against crime. Results from the ‘classical’ vulnerability and victimization models are discussed and the suitability of the evolutionary and the routine activities perspectives is also considered.
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