Security/insecurity diagnostic. An exploratory study in an urban community

This paper presents the results of an evaluation from an exploratory study, developed in a community with high rates of crime in the city of Porto. The study objectives were to obtain knowledge of that community, about their needs, the available resources, the social dynamics, the perception of insecurity, the victimization situations, and the actions developed in those situations. Using one questionnaire, we developed an exploratory, descriptive, cross-sectional study based on self-reports of 139 individuals of this community, both sexes and aged between 15 and 84 years old (M = 41.4 years, SD = 21.84). The results highlight a security feeling, although the perception of an increase of crime. Drug trafficking is one of the most common and feared crimes. There is a demand for more policing and greater proximity to citizens. (C) 2015 Colegio Oficial de Psicologos de Madrid. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.