THE HAGUE, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 70 percent of Dutch adults worry about a terrorist attack taking place in the Netherlands, and 40 percent thinks the chance of a terrorist attack happening in the Netherlands is high, a report published by the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) on Monday showed.
Despite these concerns, only 4 percent of Dutch adults think that it is likely they themselves would become a victim of terrorism, and almost 75 percent of adults think the chance they become a victim is small.
The data is based on a survey carried out by CBS from February to May 2016 among over 3500 respondents of 18 years and older. The results also showed that the concern about a terrorist threat is reflected in the behavior of people.
Nearly 40 percent indicated that they are on alert in their daily life because of a possible terrorist attack. They pay attention to suspicious people or suspicious behavior, including people with large backpacks or suitcases, people with a foreign appearance, people showing nervous behavior and people hanging around at places where they seemingly should not be.
In addition, a large part of the respondents indicated that they generally look around more often, especially in situations where many people gather, for example during major events, at train stations, at airports and in shopping centers. They also said they often monitor suspicious situations, such as unattended bags or suitcases.
Some of the Dutch adults also show avoidance behavior. Nearly half of the Dutch holidaymakers indicated they currently avoid certain destinations they would like to visit, because of the terrorist threat they feel.
It is the first time CBS conducts research into fear of terrorism in the Netherlands. Since the survey was completed in May last year, several attacks have happened worldwide, including those in London, Manchester, Berlin and Munich.
