Crime prevention

It is often possible to design a new building in a way that will help prevent crime. It is important that this aim should feature in discussions with your council at the beginning of the design process. Once development has been completed, the main opportunity to incorporate crime prevention measures will have been lost.

The police have Crime Prevention Officers and many also have Architectural Liaison Officers, who will be able to advise on appropriate measures to combat crime. Contact the Crime Prevention Department of your local police service headquarters for advice.

Guidance on crime prevention is set out in the government publication 'Safer places: the planning system and crime prevention' (PDF 3.1 MB).

Further information is available on the Secured by Design website.