Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

Understanding CPTED: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

'CPTED' is an acronym that stands for 'Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design'. It is a method of crime prevention that is closely linked with environmental criminology, which is the concept of environmental design and environmental management put together. This approach suggests that the way our environments are designed can significantly influence crime rates.

The Role of the Built Environment in Crime Prevention

The nature of the built environment can affect the level of crime both by influencing potential offenders and by affecting the ability of people to exercise control over their surroundings (Jacobs, Newman, & Jeffery, 2018). The main objective of CPTED is to reduce or remove the opportunity for crime to occur in an environment and promote positive interaction with the space by legitimate users. CPTED is a preventative, proactive model, and not a reactive one (Design for Security, 2018). These strategies are rooted in the idea that thoughtful design can lead to safer communities.

Theoretical Foundations of CPTED

The theoretical foundations embodied by 'defensible space' were also apparent to Moffat (1983), who commented that 'CPTED' is divided into six areas:

Territoriality

Features are put in place which clearly displays whether a property is public or private. The idea behind this concept is for individuals to develop a sense of ownership. By fostering a sense of ownership, individuals are more likely to defend their environment, thereby reducing opportunities for criminal activity.

Surveillance

This includes features that enable the property to be more visible. By having more light on a property, it enables people to see who is around the vicinity, and due to increased visibility, potential offenders may be deterred from causing trouble. Additionally, by having more visibility on a property, neighborhood houses around it can also monitor any suspicious activity. Examples of surveillance features include landscaping, windows, lights, and building entrance and garage layouts.

Access Control

Features put in place which clearly display whether a property is public or private. The hope is that by having these features, it will reduce the amount of crime committed by offenders. By making a property clearly displayed as 'private', it means that offenders would have to take a greater risk in attempting to access it. Examples of access control features are exits and fences to control traffic flow.

Target Hardening

This concept revolves around mechanical devices such as locks, security systems, and alarms. The idea behind these features is that by having them in place, they will help to reduce the amount of crime committed. However, these features could also cause individuals to feel unsafe in their environment if overly emphasized.

Image / Maintenance

This links to the 'Broken Window Theory'. If a property is left looking deteriorated and unloved, it shows a lack of care and ownership for the property. To potential offenders, this gives them an opportunity to vandalize the property. The 'Broken Window Theory' explains that if a window is left broken and unfixed for a period of time, vandals will break more windows (Wilson & Kelling, 1982). Regular maintenance and upkeep can signal that a property is cared for and deter crime.

Activity Support

The idea behind this subsection is that within every household, residents have different routines, whether that be families whose parents go to work and children go to school, or when individuals go on holiday and leave their house unattended for a period of time. This means that in some households, during the day, properties are left vacant. Criminals know their neighborhood and tend to target properties they know are vacant at a given time. Offenders are more likely to target a property when the house is vacant and when they believe they are not going to get apprehended. By encouraging community activities and engagement, neighborhoods can reduce the opportunities for crime by increasing the presence of legitimate users.

References

Design for Security. (2018). Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Retrieved from [website URL]

Jacobs, J., Newman, O., & Jeffery, C. R. (2018). An Introduction to Criminological Theory.

Moffat, R. (1983). Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design: A Review and Modern Bibliography. National Institute of Justice.

Wilson, J. Q., & Kelling, G. L. (1982). The Police and Neighborhood Safety: Broken Windows. Atlantic Monthly.