Crime Risk Assessment and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Crime risk assessment is a critical process in identifying, analysing, and reducing potential crime opportunities within the built environment. It is now well established that building design and urban planning can significantly influence crime risk and community safety outcomes.

Poorly designed buildings can, among other things, conceal entry and exit points for offenders, reduce natural surveillance of surrounding areas, provide opportunities for offenders to access private property, and create hidden areas where offenders can remain undetected.

Crime Risk Assessment in the Built Environment

A crime risk assessment also considers how lighting, visibility, access control, and surrounding land use impact safety outcomes. Poorly lit locations can increase opportunities for offending and heighten fear within public and private spaces.

A lack of coordination between building purpose and surrounding developments can create tension, reduce passive surveillance, and increase overall crime risk.

These factors demonstrate why a structured crime risk assessment should be an essential part of planning, designing, and redeveloping buildings and urban areas.

Crime Risk Assessment and CPTED Principles

Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) is a key framework used within a crime risk assessment. CPTED focuses on reducing opportunities for crime by improving the design and management of the physical environment.

CHD Partners has developed a specialised approach to crime risk assessment that integrates CPTED principles with risk management methodologies.

Our Crime Risk Assessment Process

The following steps are undertaken in our crime risk assessment methodology:

• Review the purpose and function of the site (and associated buildings) and identify potential crime risks linked to its use
• Review local crime data and trends
• Consult key stakeholders, including architects, landscape architects, police, surrounding residents and businesses, and local government authorities
• Conduct site visits (day and night) to assess environmental and situational risks
• Review all site plans and supporting documentation, including landscaping plans, lighting plans, site layouts, and social planning documents
• Prepare a comprehensive crime risk assessment report outlining identified risks, recommended treatments, and crime prevention benefits

Experience in Crime Risk Assessment Services

CHD Partners has completed crime risk assessment services across a wide range of developments, including mixed-use developments, retirement villages, licensed premises, residential housing, and commercial facilities.

Through this work, we have developed extensive expertise in crime risk assessment and CPTED application. While the built environment plays a major role in designing out crime, we also recognise the importance of designing in people, activity, and natural surveillance to create safer environments.

Contact Us

To discuss a professional crime risk assessment, contact:

Michael Huggett
📞 0417 448 507
✉️ [email protected]