Daren Fisher

Crime prevention through environmental design : a case study of multi-agency collaboration in Sydney, Australia

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) has been legislated in every State and Territory of Australia despite the lack of clear empirical evidence that it is successful (Homel, 2005). Despite a commitment in the literature surrounding CPTED to isolate ‘what works’ (Cherney and Sutton, 2007), there is a distinct lack of empirical evidence in Australia that details how CPTED theory operates in practice. To address this gap in the existing literature, this paper presents the findings of a case study that was conducted on Martin Place, a major pedestrian thoroughfare located in Sydney, Australia. Following on from the research conducted by Zahm (2005) that explored the transference of CPTED knowledge from criminologists to those involved with the design of public places, this paper analyses how CPTED theory was understood and utilised as part of the multi-agency implementation of CPTED-based initiatives that occur in Martin Place. Furthermore, this paper presents a brief history of the development of CPTED in New South Wales (NSW), and a unique framework for understanding the application of CPTED within these contexts. With the help of this case study, this paper addresses the absence of research and evaluation of how CPTED has been implemented in Australia.

Policing built environment crime risks: the role of police in CPTED in New South Wales, Australia*

Abstract Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is now routinely adopted in many parts of the world. The role assumed by police in CPTED practices has however received limited academic attention. Through an analysis of available documentation and interviews with local government planners from 10 Sydney councils, this article provides a (partial) understanding of the historical and contemporary roles police have played in the development and implementation of CPTED guidelines in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. It is argued that the NSW Police Force was a pivotal driver of the introduction of planning guidelines to ensure crime risks are considered when new developments are being planned. However, the ongoing contribution of police appears to have waned, largely due to administrative, practical and operational realities. These findings have relevance for ongoing CPTED practice and the work of specialist policing roles more generally.

Crime prevention through environmental design in New South Wales

ABSTRACT Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) involves the manipulation of the built environment to reduce crime risks. The introduction of the Crime Prevention and the Assessment of Development Applications: Guidelines under Section 79c of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (S79c Guidelines) stimulated work in this area in New South Wales (NSW) in April 2001. While the S79c Guidelines have never been formally evaluated, a growing body of research projects have been conducted that shed some light on contemporary CPTED practice in NSW. Taken together, the findings arising from this research suggest that there has been an increased acknowledgement of CPTED in planning circles, but there have been numerous implementation challenges. The Guidelines speak little to built environment professionals and provide limited guidance to consent authorities; crime risk assessments are generally undertaken late in the development process; and operational policing issues have in some instances undermined police–council liaison. After reviewing these and other key implementation challenges, a series of recommendations are made to improve CPTED practice in NSW.