Safe environments are not simply created safe by installing really good locks on doors, strategically placed high-end video surveillance or a highly skilled security team. Locks and target hardening is not enough. There is more to it.
What the physical environment is made up of can influence the situations, incidents or unauthorized events that occur. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) should be one of the tools used in a crime prevention, security and risk strategy.
The seven components of CPTED are:
- Territoriality allows for the feeling of pride or ownership of a place while also creating a welcoming environment. It is important to project the image that a property is well cared for and those responsible for it will protect it.
- Natural surveillance maximises the ability to spot suspicious people or activities. Clear sight lines and visible entrance-ways are helpful while dimly lit or isolated areas create a more comfortable location for criminals to act.
- Activity support encourages the intended use of public space by residents. An unsafe area may see a loss of business or a lack of people on the street, for example. An area active with legitimate users deters criminal activity.
- Hierarchy of space identifies ownership of an area by clearly delineating private from public space with boundaries such as decorative sidewalks, lawns, and hedges.
- Natural access control utilises walkways, fences, lighting, signage and landscape to clearly guide people and vehicles to and from the proper entrances.
- Image and maintenance ensure that a building or area is clean, well kept and free of graffiti or litter. If a property is untidy and littered with trash and graffiti, it sends the message that no one cares for the property and undesirable behaviour will be tolerated.
- Proper allocation of space features a design or location decision that takes into account the surrounding environment and minimises the use of space by conflicting groups. In addition to creating an environment in which criminals feel uncomfortable, the goal of these design principals is also to foster an environment in which law-abiding citizens do feel comfortable and secure.
CPTED and physical security should be integrated in a way that is not overbearing.
Ideally, CPTED principals are designed into a structure or environment in the planning and building stages. Why retrofit when you can address known concerns at the start. A more cost effective approach to security & risk.