Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Report: CPTED Principles

This report provides an overview of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), a strategy focused on creating safer environments by utilizing the physical design of a space to deter criminal activity. The report explores key components of CPTED including natural surveillance, which emphasizes visibility to deter crime; natural access control, which involves directing movement and limiting unauthorized entry; territorial reinforcement, which fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for a space; and maintenance, which ensures the upkeep of an area to signal its safety and care. Furthermore, the report discusses the three-D approach—designation, definition, and design—which integrates CPTED principles into the planning and construction of spaces to effectively reduce the opportunity for crime. This report is a comprehensive guide to understanding CPTED principles and their practical applications in enhancing security and reducing crime rates.

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Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Name:
Institution:

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What is Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)
CPTED is the efficient utilization of the created surrounding or environment to reduce or
curb the incidences and fear of criminal activities thus promote in building security (NCPC,
2010). Besides, the CPTED concept ensures that properties or buildings are created inhibit
destruction from force of and natural calamities. Unlike the implementation of visually
affronting security measures in addressing crime, the CPTED promotes not only a high quality
but also visually pleasing solution.
List and discuss the four categories relating to Space
a) Natural surveillance
Notably, criminals do not wish to be observed rather they choose environments where
they are “invisible” and easily escape. However, surveillance improves the perceived risk to
criminals. Besides, it increases risk if those people observing or watching are willing to act in the
event potential threatening situation develop (Crowe & Fennelly, 2013). Natural surveillance can
be achieved through various techniques, which include eliminating hiding spots and keeping
areas efficiently lit, among others.
b) Natural Access Control
Offenders tend to feel they are in charge of a situation; however, the above challenge can
be curbed by marking the approaches to structures and properties and directing unauthorizes
persons to defined areas (Crowe & Fennelly, 2013). Generally, the concept depends on physical
features, such as doors, shrubs, and fences to inhibits access by the unauthorized persons.

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c) Territorial Reinforcement
Territorial reinforcement aims at creating a significant distinction between public and
private property. The component enables the authorized owners to have a sense of possession or
ownership and will “question” people that do not belong to the area. Moreover, it prevents the
intruders from blending in at a region.
d) Maintenance
The concept is linked to territorial reinforcement, whereby the maintenance of an area has
an impact on whether it will be targeted or not. Notably, people tend to notice a well-maintained
area thus it is safe does not attract criminals. On the other side, dilapidated an area tend to attract
criminal and other unsafe activities.
What is the Three-D approach as it relates to CPTED?
As evident, CPTED incorporated the creation of the physical space associated with
normal and expected use of the space. As a result, the four CPTED components are implemented
through the 3-D approach, which include designation, definition, and design (Crowe & Fennelly,
2013).

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References
Crowe, T., & Fennelly, L. (2013). Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. Oxford:
Butterworth-Heinemann.
NCPC. (2010). Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). National Crime
Prevention Council.