Being Feared

This book presents an alternative approach to understanding fear and crime by examining those who are feared or who cause fear to others, as opposed to those who are fearful of crime. The existing research into the fearful and the fear of crime offers little insight into this particular experience and so this book represents a missing link in our understanding of how fear of crime is understood by all of those that experience it. It draws on some powerful interviews with juveniles, police officers, soldiers, muscular gym-goers and bouncers/doormen who can be interpreted as being feared. This book focuses on the perceptions, emotions and ensuing actions of those who are perceived as a threat to security by others. It provides an in-depth analysis of the perception of fear in interactions, how this is recognised within an encounter, how these perceptions are attributed and reacted upon, how these experiences relate to particular situations, and how they are structured in ongoing life experiences. It suggests 'pillars' of fear.