Snapshots of crime and people's feelings about it are taken by South Yorkshire Police using its Your Voice Counts annual surveys.

The latest survey for the Barnsley Dearne area was carried out last November, and revealed a fear of crime which senior officers describe as "totally out of proportion" with reality.

It is the second time that the area has returned survey figures which show a high level of unease about levels of crime with similar results being posted following a 2006 study.

The feedback has now sparked concern over what can be done to calm feelings and increase trust and confidence in the police service among people who are frightened of being victimised.

Barnsley Dearne police area covers the three towns of Goldthorpe, Bolton-on-Dearne and Thurnscoe, an area which police describe as "isolated, unique and complex".

The Your Voice Counts survey shows that almost 40 per cent of people living in the area worry that they will be burgled, while 30 per cent are scared that they will be robbed or mugged.

Almost 20 per cent of people fear they will be raped, 30 per cent think it is likely that they will have their car stolen and 26 per cent have concerns over their car being broken into.

In a report to be presented to South Yorkshire Police Authority, which oversees the work of the force, senior officers explain the results with reference to the area's past and say work is ongoing.

The report says: "Fear of crime in the Dearne area has increased and the fear in relation to certain crime types is totally out of proportion when you look at the actual number of offences committed.

"Crime in this area actually decreased by 12 per cent when comparing 2006 with 2007. There were significant reductions in all acquisitive crime categories.

"Dwelling burglaries are down 5.8 per cent, vehicle crime is down by 15.4 per cent, robberies are down by 54.5 per cent and criminal damage is down by 21.6 per cent."

Police commanders point to the "demographics" and industrial heritage of the area in their report to explain some of the problems and say there are a "plethora" of issues which contribute to the negativity.

The report continues: "Historically this area had a strong mining community. The policing of the miners strike has left as its residue a mistrust and lack of confidence in the police that is more distinctive here."

Officers in the Dearne area have now been instructed to step up activity and in particular draw attention to the existence of the Safer Neighbourhood Team, which many residents are not aware of.

They have also carried out a scheme called Operation Barbados, which aimed to advertise more strongly the reduction in crimes and the work of the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Insp Steve Batty, area commander for the Dearne, has submitted a report to the police authority about the operation, which will be examined at Friday's meeting.

In it he says: "Operation Barbados was conducted by means of personal visits, by a team member, to every household and business throughout Dearne – in excess of 10,300 homes and hundreds of businesses.

"In October 2008, Operation Barbados II will commence, with the intent to repeat visit all households and business with new facts."