Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) is based on the belief that the design and modification of the built environment can either increase or decrease the incidence and fear of crime.
Draw a quick sketch of the premises that your agency uses, including outside areas that the agency or young clients use.
Are there particular areas where violence has occurred? If yes, mark with red or an X
Reflect on your own experience for a moment. Think back to a journey that you have walked in a public area, eg. walking home. What areas made you feel unsafe? What was it about those areas that made you feel unsafe?
What areas made you feel safe? What was it about those areas that made you feel safe?
A key concept in CPTED is that the factors that make legitimate users of a space feel safe also make potential offenders feel unsafe about committing an offence in that area.
CPTED theory says that three main factors make people feel safe:
- Maximum visibility - to see and be seen
- Evidence of ownership - that someone cares about the things that happen there
- Access control - that visitors are noticed and responded to
By paying attention to the design of your space you can influence the social behaviour of participants and visitors. CPTED will discourage young people who are feeling potentially violent, or who are intoxicated or drug affected from using your space.
You do not need a new building to apply CPTED theory. There are simple and cost effective steps you can take to adapt existing premises.
Checklist
Use the checklist below to identify where you can improve.
Maximum visibility
Outside premises
- Outside premises are clearly and adequately lit during your activities
- Areas which are not designed for night time use are not lit at night
- Outside premises are lit with motion detected lighting at night after your activities have finished, especially car park areas
- Outside lighting is located in areas that illuminate footpaths and entrances
- Light fittings are resilient against breaking, eg. plastic rather than glass
- Lighting is directed downward rather than at eye level as eye level lighting reduces the ability to see past the light
- The front door is lit at night, but not so brightly that you cannot see beyond the light
- The front door faces the street or can be seen by the general public
- Your space can be seen by the general public passing by
- Pedestrians can see for a reasonable distance along pathways
- Bushes or low branching trees are removed along pathways and near entrances where they could be potential hiding spots.
- During the day, shaded areas and comfortable seating is provided for areas that young people to use, in areas that are visible to the public or service users.
Inside premises
- There are clear sight lines to all areas that young people use, such as open plan design, or perspex windows in rooms.
Evidence of ownership
Outside premises
- Premises are clean and tidy
- Rubbish bins and cigarette trays are provided and emptied regularly
- Premises are well maintained
- Unwanted graffiti is quickly removed. Or if you have a legal wall it is clear where this space starts and ends and who may use it.
- Bike racks are provided
- Paths are provided in the directions that are required, to avoid short cuts through landscaping
Inside premises
- There is a space provided for young people to store their bags, in an area where the bags will not be tripped over.
- The purpose of the space is clearly evident. Separate activities have their own clearly defined space, eg. computer area, reading area, music area within a larger open space.
- The different functions of your building are considered when repainting, eg. a single colour for areas that the public can access, and a separate colour for staff areas
- Photos and art work of young people are displayed
- Information about what the service is and provides is clearly displayed
- Young people are involved in beautifying the centre, eg. mosaics, gardens, murals.
3. Access control
Outside premises
- The borders, and therefore areas of your responsibility, are clear
- The front door to your service is clearly indicated
- You have only one entry into the building (not counting emergency exits)
- The service opening hours are clearly indicated on the front door. If staff are out of the office there is a sign indicating what time they will return.
Inside
- Signs clearly indicate where to go for assistance / reception
- Interview rooms have more than one exit. If this is not possible then the furniture is arranged so that neither the worker or the young person has their back to the door.
- Potentially aggressive clients are interviewed in open areas where confidentiality can also be maintained, eg. perspex or partly shaded windows. If this is not possible then have a fellow staff member pop in to offer a cup of coffee etc or have a duress alarm
- Staff and volunteers are clearly identified, eg. a brightly coloured tag or a system of actively welcoming visitors
- Unknown or unwelcome visitors are promptly greeted by staff and volunteers in a confident way "Can I help you?"
- Access to cash, valuables and potential weapons, eg. knives, is restricted
- Staff areas and other areas are locked when not in use.
Other tips
- Young people do not have unrestricted access to staff areas. There are visual clues that indicate where common areas finish, eg. divider boards
- Staff consider the activities provided in your centre and how this impacts on behaviour. For example replacing competitive games of pool with more inclusive or team building activities such as karaoke, games
- There is more than one activity provided so that young people do not have to wait a long time to take their turn
- Comfortable waiting areas are provided if young people are required to wait for an appointment.
Published: 2006
Be careful! YAPA and the authors took reasonable care to ensure that this information was correct at the time of publishing. However health information, and government regulations, laws and standards are complex and changing. The authors may not have health, safety, or legal qualifications, and information provided is general - it is not specific health, legal or professional advice. Do not rely on it - check with other publications and authorities and if necessary get qualified, medical, legal or professional advice for your situation.
