Public lecture: public opinion on crime

This in-person lecture will discuss what the evidence says around public opinion on crime, and how we might address the degraded civic discourse in an era where punitive political rhetoric is alive and kicking.

Covering the topics in Dr Tom McNeil’s newly-published book “Public Opinion on Crime”, the event will examine the interrelationship between political rhetoric, reactionary governments and discriminatory ideologies, and offer a fuller account of how our views on crime are formed.

The event will be chaired by Professor Adam Crawford, Co-Director of the ESRC Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre (University of York & University of Leeds). Professor Ben Bradford (UCL) will act as discussant.

This lecture will take place in Room CL/A/002 Business Lounge, Church Lane Building on the University of York campus.

From media headlines to community groups on social media, fear of crime permeates society.

At its worst, societal anxiety manifests in public demands for ever harsher approaches to punishment or the weaponising of crime by exploitative political leaders. In either case, societies are often distracted from the real factors behind crime: poverty, hardship, abuse and lack of opportunity.

Many researchers and policymakers recognise this harmful spiral but struggle to answer the question: How do we create the conditions for better public debates on crime?

Tom’s lecture will explore public opinion theories highlighting a degraded civic and media debate on crime. As an antidote, Tom will present evidence on how to hold better public conversations, using facts, emotion and message framing capable of shifting punitive attitudes towards a progressive consensus.

This offers a unique perspective on the kinds of democratic changes needed, as well as new insight into the arguments people need to hear when discussing crime and justice. With major international elections being preoccupied with the fear of crime, this contemporary analysis comes at a very important time and presents a roadmap to a fairer society and justice system.