How To Design Out Crime

Can safer streets can be achieved through good planning and design? A new report by the UK's Office of the Deputy Prime Minister encourages professionals to try to place themselves into the mindset of a criminal faced with a particular situation. "It also lists seven attributes of safer places. As well as physical protection by means of secure doors, locks and alarms, they cover well-defined routes, good surveillance and the promotion of a sense of ownership. Practical crime prevention measures are given in 17 case studies, which cover housing developments, a town centre, an industrial estate, a college, a car park, a bus station and a park." The actual document, Safer places: the planning system and crime prevention (PDF, 4MB), is available on the Planning Directorate's website.