1. The Role of C.P.T.E.D in designing out crime
Inspector Niall Featherstone
14th June 2017
Chief Crime Prevention Officer
Garda Crime Prevention National Centre of Excellence
Harcourt Square, Dublin 2

2. CPTED What is it? What are the key underlying Principles? Examples
How can it help me?
The Garda CPTED Service

3. What is CPTED?
Essentially designing out crime and crime generating factors in the built environment
The proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction Crime, Fear of Crime and improve quality of life

4. What is CPTED? Originated in the United States in the 1960s.
Jane Jacobs (1961) – “The Death and Life of Great American Cities” suggested that active street-life could cut down opportunities for crime

5. People do not meaningfully interact with their neighbours
Jacobs postulated that crime flourishes when –
People do not meaningfully interact with their neighbours
There is a lack of natural guardianship
There is a lack of ability for residents to watch their streets

6. Further developments –
C. Ray Jeffery’s book in 1971 “Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design” – Suggested that urban design, including the design of streets, parks, terminals, highways etc. could prevent crime by reducing the opportunities

7. A study of public housing and crime in New York
Oscar Newman’s publication “Defensible Space” in –
A study of public housing and crime in New York
Established a definite relationship between urban design and crime rates
Defensible Space Theory

8. Territoriality – real and symbolic barriers 4 levels of space –
Defensible Space Theory
Territoriality – real and symbolic barriers
4 levels of space –
Private e.g. inside a house
Semi-private e.g. front garden
Semi-Public e.g. communal hallway
Public e.g. public road

9. Defensible Space Theory
An area is safer when people feel a sense of ownership and responsibility for that piece of a community
If an intruder can sense a watchful community, he feels less secure committing his crime

10. Why here?
CPTED is an approach to problem-solving that asks, what is it about a location that places people at risk or that results in opportunities for crime?
In other words, why here?

11. Underlying Principles –
Crime Generating Factors –
Lack of natural or formal surveillance
Poor lighting
High levels of access through the area
Poorly designed or sited structures
Poor physical security
Little or no community interaction
Poor definition between public /private space

12. Poor surveillance

13. No surveillance

14. Poor surveillance

15. Good surveillance

16. Poor surveillance

17. Good surveillance

18. Poor lighting

19. Poor lighting

20. Poor lighting

21. Poor Lighting

22. Poor Access Control

23. Good Design

24. Poor Design - laneways

25. No Defensible Space

26. Good Defensible Space

27. Crime prevention is everybody’s business
AGS have a statutory obligation under Sec 7, Garda Síochána Act’05, to prevent crime.
Proactive policing involves preventing crime in the first instance and thus reducing the fear of crime.
An Garda Síochána has a strong tradition in crime prevention and community policing. Everybody must play their part to reduce and prevent crime.

28. Duty of local authorities.
Crime prevention is everybody’s business
Duty of local authorities.
37.— (1) A local authority shall, in performing its functions, have regard to the importance of taking steps to prevent crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour within its area of responsibility.

29. Dunville Park, Belfast
The first park in Belfast to be donated as a gift to the city. It was presented by Robert G Dunville to residents in 1891.
Donated £5,000 towards the laying out of the park, more than £1,000 for railings and £665 for a Victorian fountain, designed by AE Pearce
Dunville Park was officially opened in 1892 by the Marquis of Dufferin and Ava.
“The provision of such a park in an industrial area was symbolic of a new era when employers would think not only of the housing and sanitation of their workers but of their recreation as well".

30. Dunville Park, Belfast Consultation Recommendations
Meet with BCC
Establish baseline crime data
Consult with NPT
Consult with Residents & Residents Groups
Site visit
Historical research
Report back to BCC with findings and recommendations
Ownership (BCC, Friends)
Rule Setting
Defensible Space
Access
Supervision (Eyes on the street)
Fit for purpose
Mixed use
Quality materials
Certified Products (Fencing)
Sustainability

31. Dunville Park, Belfast Attributes to Safer Places
Access and movement: places with well defined routes, spaces and entrances that provide for convenient movement without compromising security.
Structure: places that are structured so that different uses do not cause conflict.
Surveillance: places where all publicly accessible spaces are overlooked.
Ownership: places that promote a sense of ownership, respect, territorial responsibility and community.
Physical protection: places that include necessary, well-designed security features.
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.
Management and maintenance: places that are designed with management and maintenance in mind, to discourage crime in the present and the future.

32. Dunville Park, Belfast

33. Dunville Park, Belfast

34. Dunville Park, Belfast

35. Dunville Park, Belfast

36. Dunville Park, Belfast

37. Dunville Park, Belfast

38. Dunville Park, Belfast

39. What does CPTED do for Communities
Community Interaction
Estate and Street Design
Surveillance
Target Hardening
The creation of a safer and more secure environment in which to live and work
The creation of an environment which reduces the fear of crime
The opportunity to create more effective and aesthetic security solutions

40. Target Hardening Perimeter Fencing Side Gates Locks Intruder Alarms
Lighting
CCTV (where necessary)

41. Estate Design Avoid Sprawling Estates Small Clusters
Open Spaces/Play Areas to be overlooked and User Friendly
Avoid Laneways, Back Courts, Recesses and other areas that could lead to Anti Social Behaviour
Adequate Lighting

42. Before
After
Poor physical security

43. Before
After

44. Before
After

45. Before
After

46. Garda CPTED service All CPOs receive CPTED training
All Divisions covered
National Unit coordination
Talk to your local CPO
CPO list on Garda website

47. Summary CPTED will not – CPTED will –
Provide a magic solution for all crime problems
Tackle the underlying causes of crime or anti-social behaviour
CPTED will –
Create safer and more secure environments
Help to reduce the fear and incidence of crime

48. E-mail: GCPNCE@garda.ie
Questions?
Garda Crime Prevention National Centre of Excellence,
Garda H.Q.,
Harcourt Square,
Dublin 2.
Tel: (01)