Home Office research calls for crime to be 'designed out' of new housing

Published by Julien Tremblin for 24dash.com in Housing

Crime and anti-social behaviour can be 'designed out' of new housing developments, a report commissioned by the Home Office shows.

The research – conducted by Design Council Cabe – identifies design features that lead to an increase in crime, anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes.

It will help influence the layout and design of new proposed neighbourhoods by trying to avoid “poor design” in high density urban housing developments.

The report highlights the following key design features to watch out for:

• Large rear parking courts;
• Paths and spaces that are not overlooked;
• Poorly-designed corner properties;
• Relying on gating a development as the only means to deliver security;
• ‘Leaky’ cul-de-sacs which have pedestrian access between them.

The study was run in collaboration with academics from the University of Huddersfield, working with crime prevention design advisors in local police forces and planning authorities. It looked at a variety of developments in three areas of the country - Greater Manchester, Kent and West Midlands.

Researchers conducted detailed site visits to developments to analyse and map specific design features and layouts, examined the recorded crime in the scheme, and interviewed neighbourhood policing teams and crime prevention design advisors.

The crimes the teams looked at included burglary, theft of and from vehicles, robbery, theft from the person, assault and criminal damage. When researchers realised that anti-social behaviour and neighbour disputes were more common than recorded crime, they decided to include them in the research.

Michael Clare, a crime prevention design advisor for Thames Valley police, said: “This is up to date research that is very positive and greatly helps in designing against crime and underpins the principles of Secured by Design.

“If adopted by developers and architects it means that for the lifetime of development there will be less crime and anti-social behaviour, which will be beneficial for future residents and users.“

The findings of the study have already been acted upon by housing developer Gleeson Homes & Regeneration, which helped advise on the research project.

Faye Whiteoak, Design & Development Director of the company, said: “We welcome the research; it provides much needed clarification on the impact of housing design upon crime and has led us to re-assess our design values and produce our own internal security design guide.”

The research has already been accessed by more than 4,000 users.