Crime prevention through environmental design

Housing should be designed to facilitate casual surveillance of the front garden and the street (or the adjacent park).

Housing should not be hidden from the street or public realm behind high fences or car accommodation.

Plant species and locations should be thoughtfully chosen so that planting does not overly obstruct the view of the street or the internal pathways within a housing group.

Reasons:

• encouraging casual surveillance of the street (or participating more formally in ‘Neighbourhood Watch') can be the basis of a more secure dwelling and contribute to a better community. This is one strategy of CPTED: Crime Prevention through Environment Design
• good 'CPTED' design can help to build positive relations between neighbours
• it can allow housebound residents to participate more in the life of the community.