In recent years, fear of crime has become a central concern for criminologists, policymakers, and the public, leading to intensified security measures, including CCTV.
The study aims to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of CCTV on citizens' sense of security. Both implicit (unconscious) and explicit (conscious) evaluation methods are used to avoid potential social desirability biases and validate previous findings.
The study reveals that public opinion on CCTV is influenced by a variety of factors. Of particular interest is the discrepancy between explicit and implicit assessments, suggesting that perceptions of CCTV may be more complex than previously assumed. Our study confirms for Germany the difference between implicit and explicit attitudes towards CCTV described in the Semantic Analysis by Freese and Kestermann (2016).

The results emphasize the importance of a comprehensive assessment of CCTV effects. By combining implicit and explicit evaluation methods, potential biases can be avoided, and a more accurate picture of public opinion can be obtained.