Being Safe A personal sense of safety and security in one's community is an important component of wellbeing. In Sydney, household crime has decreased in the past decade, while personal crime has remained relatively constant. Crime levels can be indicators of profound social problems. The likelihood of someone committing crime increases with low levels of education, unemployment and substance abuse. Disadvantage may contribute to feelings of detachment from society, its codes and government. Crime needs to be understood by its impact on two groups: on the victims who suffer from offences against their persons or property, and on the people who commit crimes, who often come from socially disadvantaged backgrounds.