Safer places: the planning system and crime prevention is an ODPM guide published in April 2004. This briefing sheet is a précis of the main issues raised in the guide and is intended for anyone involved in designing or planning a new development.
1. INTRODUCTION: SAFE, SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
The guide Safer places: the planning system and crime prevention1 is a companion to the policies in PPS1.2
Designing out crime and designing in community safety should be central to the planning and delivery of new development. Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 19983 requires all local authorities to exercise their functions with due regard to their likely effect on crime and disorder, and to do all they reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder.
The aim should be to create places that people want to occupy, and which have a strong sense of community identity. Sustainable communities have:
flourishing economies
strong leadership
participative engagement
safe and healthy environments
ability to support basic amenities.
1.1. Definitions
Crime reduction: frequency and seriousness of crime.
Crime prevention: tackling the causes of crime.
Community safety: about the ability to pursue a full life unhindered by the real and perceived risks of crime.
1.2. Role of the planning system
Planning can contribute directly to crime prevention through the following tools:
development plan policies
supplementary planning guidance
pre-application discussions and negotiations
development control decision making
planning conditions and planning obligations
partnerships with the police and agencies such as crime and disorder reduction partnerships.
1.3. Principles of crime prevention
1.3.1. The criminal individual
Stop children becoming criminal by appropriate education and upbringing.
Tackle temporary influences, for example alcohol, drugs, unemployment.
Tackle long-term influences, for example illiteracy.
Tackle individuals' perception of crime opportunities, for example through policing.
Exclude individuals from an area.
1.3.2. The enablers of crime
Tackle criminal ‘fences’.
Reduce the availability of tools/know-how for crime.
Create a physical environment that makes crime difficult by:
reducing concealment
reducing escape routes
increasing surveillance.
1.3.3. The potential target
Increase the resistance to crime.
Reduce the attractiveness to crime.
Targets within an enclosure—increase the security of the enclosure, for example a house.
2. THE ATTRIBUTES OF SAFER PLACES
2.1. Access and movement
‘… places with well defined routes, spaces and entrances that provide for convenient movement without compromising security.’
Provide direct routes that lead where people want to go.
Create ‘primary routes’ for pedestrian movement to avoid under-used paths.
Keep routes as direct as possible.
Keep different modes of transport at the same level to ensure surveillance. Avoid underpasses and footbridges.
Good signage.
Well-connected layouts—advantages:
more activity—greater natural surveillance.
Layouts with fewer connections—advantages:
fewer escape routes
fewer reasons for being in the area
better defensible space.
2.1.1. Checklist: Access and movement
Consequences of all connections considered?
Routes needed? Routes match where people want to go?
Easy access and escape routes?
Routes integrated rather than segregated?
Clear understanding of which route is for which type of user?
Easy navigation through the area?
2.2. Structure
‘… places that are structured so that different uses do not cause conflict.’
Active frontages.
Overlooked streets.
Defensible space.
Culs-de-sacs—short and straight—not linked with infrequently used footpaths.
Flats and terraces are naturally secure, with few opportunities for entry. Radburn layouts have been associated with increased crime.
Structure should minimise conflict.
Gathering points need to be sited carefully so as not to bring crime to the area.
Poorly sited street furniture—blocking sightlines, aiding climbing, attracting vandalism, etc.
2.2.1. Checklist: Structure
Buildings designed to be secure?
Layout appropriate to identified crime risk and planning objectives?
Uses compatible? Conflicts identified and thought through?
Purposeful public space?
Spaces and buildings at risk from crime—remodelled? Reused or removed?
Crime prevention through restoration of historic environments considered?
2.3. Surveillance
‘… places where all publicly accessible spaces are overlooked.’
2.3.1. Checklist: Surveillance
Surveillance opportunities maximised?
Inactive frontages and corners eliminated?
Is there good visibility into the site or building where appropriate?
Are parked cars overlooked?
Lighting?—location? Vandal resistance? Maintenance regime adequate?
CCTV? Part of an overall package? Long-term maintenance?
2.4. Ownership
‘… places that promote a sense of ownership, respect, territorial responsibility and community.’
2.4.1. Checklist: Ownership
Public, communal, semi-private and private space clearly defined?
Appropriate boundaries between spaces?
Identity?
Involvement?
Quality of barriers? Appropriate to locality?
2.5. Physical protection
‘… places that include necessary, well-designed security features.’
‘Hardening’ of buildings.
Security grills/barbed wire/roller shutters wire increase fear of crime by suggesting the area is prone to crime.
Specification of windows and doors.
Fences look better combined with hedges.
Gates and grills treated as public art.
Gravel paths—prevent silent approach.
2.5.1. Checklist: Physical protection
Principles of ‘secured by design’ addressed?
Ugliness of crime prevention measures considered and net cost/benefit assessed?
2.6. Activity
‘… places where the level of human activity is appropriate to the location and creates a reduced risk of crime and a sense of safety at all times.’
2.6.1. Checklist: Activity
Law-abiding users maximised?
Strategy for residential use of town centre?
Evening economy?
Mixed uses integrated?
All uses compatible? Conflicts addressed?
2.7. Management and maintenance
‘… places that are designed with management and maintenance in mind, to discourage crime in the present and the future.’ Use the planning system to influence maintenance regimes.
2.7.1. Checklist: Management and maintenance
Good-quality public realm created?
Management systems in place?
All users involved?
3. TOOLKIT
3.1. Policies
3.2. Information about crime
Crime pattern analysis: what, how, where, when, why, etc.?
Crime risk assessment: locations, consequences of crime on local community, causes of crime, and how these crimes can be prevented through changes to the environment.
3.3. Good design
Suggested sources include the following.
By Design.6
By Design—Better Places to Live.7
Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).
Resource for Urban Design Information (RUDI).
Centre for Education in the Built Environment (http://cebe.cf.ac.uk/resources/links/udorg.html).
3.4. Local development frameworks (LDFs)
The guide gives advice on the preparation of LDFs that reflect crime prevention goals, including the core strategy, area action plans, statements of community involvement and supplementary planning documents.
3.5. Development control
The guide advises on what to do in the pre-application, planning application, planning decision states, and on planning conditions to ensure a development is fit for the environment. This is particularly relevant where there is a high crime rate, where the occupants are likely to be vulnerable, or where the type of development has crime issues, for example car parks. Examples include:
planning conditions specifying level of security required: doors, windows, street lighting, etc.
section 106 agreements—to create a safer environment, for example provision of CCTV or neighbourhood wardens.
4. ANNEXES
The guide provides additional information in comprehensive annexes covering the following.
Annex 1: Case studies.
Annex 2: Reconciling evidence of what works, knowledge of crime reduction and community safety principles, and values.
Annex 3: Evidence base and further reading.
Annex 4: Summary of checklists.
