Safety and crime prevention through design

Safety and the perception of safety are important issues when considering the design and layout of development. Good design can minimise the opportunities for crime to occur and help to reduce the fear of crime. The informal surveillance of public space from within buildings is an important concept. Surveillance is maximised when main habitable rooms and primary entrances are located within street frontages, with the more private rooms and private gardens placed to the rear of buildings. Large areas of blank walls in street facades should be avoided, as they reduce the potential for surveillance and do not contribute to the streetscape. Where new streets or access ways pass through a site they should be overlooked by development and should not pass next to rear gardens or courtyards. Clear sight lines and good lighting should be provided and recessed areas avoided.