Perception of urban safety: the case of Lublin, Poland

The aim of the study was to evaluate safety and its underlying factors among the inhabitants of Lublin. The findings are based on a questionnaire with 33 detailed questions conducted in May 2012 in all districts of the city. The collected data from the survey and Voivodeship Police Department in Lublin was analysed using ArcGIS and STATISTICA software. The analysis of the crime data shows the existence in the city of a clear zone of increased risk of crime occurrence. The survey showed that, in the last 10 years, approximately 28.1% of the responding inhabitants of Lublin have been victims of a crime in the city. Statistical analysis of the results revealed a statistically significant correlation between people’s evaluations of safety in Lublin districts and their age, gender, income, place of residence, quality of life, and participation in public life.