The Fear Industry: Fear of Crime - Governance and Regulations: A Case Study of Motorcyclists

This volume is a systematic and comprehensive study of the relationship between fear of crime and vested interests. It brings together the results of a research initiative by Dr Elaine Hardy, charting the developing relationship between corporate power and regulations by government and how these two issues influence policy decisions which affect the individual and communities in terms of trust and ‘fear of crime’. 

This seminal work highlights aspects of comparative crime statistics, risk and the regulation of third party motor insurance in Great Britain, the Netherlands and Australia. Surveys of over 2,200 British and Dutch motorcyclists were carried out during 2002 and 2003 to compare responses relating to the theft of motorcycles. The manner in which crime statistics and the theft of motorcycles are dealt with by governments and the private sector highlight differences in the perception of crime but also in the premiums that are paid to motorcycle insurers.

Private sector insurance sets out parameters to identify risk and by its very nature, seeks the exclusion or limitation of high risk clients, whereas insurance which is regulated and controlled by government is based on the principle of inclusion seeks to ensure that those more at risk are protected and are included in the community. Motor insurance is an interesting mechanism to test this theory.

The Author

Elaine Hardy has a B.A. in Economics (Hons) and is a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology. 

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