‘Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design’ (CPTED) is a crime prevention theory focusing on tactical design and the effective use of the built environment, which when applied, reduces both crime and the fear of crime. A main objective of CPTED is to reduce/remove the opportunity for crime to occur in an environment, and promote positive interaction with the space by legitimate users. CPTED is a preventative, pro-active model, and not a reactive one.
CPTED is a crucial element of the service that Design for Security provide, and the benefits are optimal when the strategy is applied in the earliest possible stage of the design process, before integral design decisions are set in stone. CPTED however, should not operate alone as the sole crime prevention method; and instead should work in conjunction with other social, environmental and community-based strategies.
There are 4 key principles at the centre of CPTED:
Surveillance – people are seen, and can be seen.
Access Management – users of an environment are passively directed to some places, whilst being restricted from others.
Territoriality – ownership of spaces is defined by clear boundaries.
Environmental Quality – well maintained and high quality environments attract users and aid surveillance.
Furthermore, there are 3 ways in which the physical environment may be managed in order to reduce the opportunity for crime:
Natural – inclusion of basic security and behavioural provisions, influencing how spaces/buildings are used (e.g. definition of borders, windows for surveillance).
Organised – formal, human security (e.g. police, patrols).
Mechanical – incorporation of security hardware (e.g. CCTV, locks, lighting).
In summary, CPTED focuses on the natural crime prevention strategies which good design can account for. Mechanical and labour-intensive ‘bolt-on’ strategies are only added as a last resort when other options are exhausted.
