What term describes the views held by the general public regarding the nature and prevalence of crime in society?

The term that describes the views held by the general public about crime in society is "public perception of crime. " This refers to how people believe crime happens, what types of crime are most common, and how safe they feel in their communities. Public perception can be influenced by media reports, personal experiences, and discussions with others. For example, if a news story highlights a rise in thefts in a neighborhood, people may start to feel that crime is increasing, even if the actual statistics show it is stable. Understanding public perception is important because it can affect how communities respond to crime and how they allocate resources for safety and prevention.