HALF of Brits are more attuned to potential dangers thanks to true crime podcasts, TV shows and books.
A poll of 2,000 adults found 67 per cent were more likely to view unusual behaviour as a potential warning sign after consuming true crime content.
It also transpired 78 per cent either have or would, if needed, apply lessons from crime shows and documentaries to real-life situations.
Meanwhile, 33 per cent have actively followed a real-life criminal investigation online as developments unfolded, turning viewers into self-described “armchair detectives” (60 per cent).
This Much Is True Crime airs Fridays at 10pm on the TRUE CRIME channel, which also commissioned the research.
David Wilson, emeritus professor at Birmingham City University and a former prison governor, who also co-presents the podcast and TV show with Martin Frizell, said: “Podcasts have become the go-to way many people consume true crime, particularly younger generations, who are just as fascinated by the genre as their older counterparts.
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“What stands out is that many aren’t simply watching or listening for entertainment.
“A significant number say they would put lessons from true crime into practice, highlighting the importance of content being accurate, informative and grounded in expert insight.”
The study also found 79 per cent agreed true crime content had made them more aware of how quickly everyday situations can become dangerous.
As a result, 52 per cent felt more prepared when walking alone at night, while 45 per cent said the same about being approached by a stranger.
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Other scenarios included sharing personal details online (43 per cent), travelling somewhere unfamiliar (40 per cent) and parking or walking to their car alone (34 per cent).
Content about real cases also appeared to educate viewers, with 59 per cent saying it had taught them more about how victims are targeted, while the same proportion learned more about how police investigations work.
A further 58 per cent said they knew more about forensic evidence such as DNA, which 92 per cent believed was important in helping to solve crimes.
When asked how many homicide cases in the UK they thought resulted in a suspect being charged and brought to trial in a typical year, the average estimate was 43 per cent.
TOP 10 WAYS TRUE CRIME HAS CHANGED PUBLIC BEHAVIOUR
1. Being more aware of surroundings in public
2. Keeping phones charged when travelling
3. Being more cautious about sharing personal information online
4. Checking who is at the door before answering
5. Locking windows and doors more often
6. Choosing well-lit or busy areas when out
7. Letting friends/family know plans
8. Avoiding certain routes
9. Sharing locations with friends
10. Avoiding wearing earphones
However, 44 per cent said crime dramas and true crime documentaries had made people more cautious about crime than they needed to be.
This could explain why 86 per cent described themselves as vigilant about their personal safety and surroundings when out in public.
And 73 per cent believed people in the UK were generally more suspicious of strangers now than they were 30 years ago, according to OnePoll figures.
Among those who watched dramatised true crime, 46 per cent had become more aware of their surroundings in public, while 42 per cent kept their phone charged when travelling.
Others had become more cautious about sharing personal details online (42 per cent), checked who was outside before answering the door (41 per cent), or locked doors and windows more often (39 per cent).
When it came to real-life investigations, 49 per cent of those who had followed one online watched videos analysing the case, while 45 per cent kept up with developments on social media.
A similar proportion read discussions and forums (45 per cent), while 36 per cent listened to podcasts and 35 per cent shared theories with friends or family.
Of those who had tried to solve cases from home, 81 per cent claimed their own theories or predictions had later turned out to be correct.
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David Wilson from the podcast and TV show This Much Is True Crime, which explores the biggest crime stories making the headlines, added: “It’s striking that people consistently underestimate how many homicide cases are solved, while placing enormous faith in DNA evidence as a crime-fighting tool.
“That suggests crime dramas continue to shape public perceptions of criminal investigations, often portraying murders as unsolved mysteries where forensic breakthroughs provide all the answers, when the reality is usually far more complex.”