What trend regarding crime did the Crime Survey for England and Wales reveal in 2014?

The Crime Survey for England and Wales in 2014 revealed that most respondents thought crime had risen. This reflects a significant perception of growing insecurity among the public despite actual crime rates declining. This discrepancy between public perception and statistical data is important as it highlights how fear of crime can be influenced by various factors, including media portrayal of crime, personal experiences, and societal changes.

Many people may have felt that crime was worsening due to increased coverage of violent crimes or high-profile incidents that capture public attention, leading to an inflated perception of the danger while the actual crime statistics show improvements or reductions in specific categories or overall crime rates. Understanding this trend is crucial for sociologists as it underscores the complex relationship between real crime data and public perception, which can affect policy and community responses to crime.

The other options reflect different public perceptions but do not capture the prevalent sentiment of fear and belief in rising crime rates reported in the survey.