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Designing Out Graffiti

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is an approach which incorporates crime prevention principles into the design of public spaces to reduce the likelihood of crime. Although CPTED is most commonly included in the design phase, it can also be used to modify existing spaces. Its principles can also be adapted to minimise the likelihood of crimes on or against private property. This type of approach is also incorporated into urban design.

Key design principles

Surveillance involves design features and the inclusion of activities that promote natural surveillance by people and discourage criminal behaviour because of the perceived risk of detection. Adequate lighting will encourage night-time use of an area and increase the risk that a graffiti offender will be observed and subsequently reported to police. Foliage shouldn't obscure lighting or block the field of vision as it will provide cover for criminal activity.

Access control involves design features that deny offenders access to targets and reduce escape routes while allowing legitimate users to use the area. Physical barriers (a door, gate, rail or fence) or symbolic barriers (a change in the environment, such as a change in level or paving) will discourage graffiti offenders while encouraging legitimate users. While high fences may seem an effective barrier to someone accessing a backyard, they also provide cover for an offender once they have scaled the fence.

Territorial reinforcement involves physical features that delineate ownership of spaces, allowing people to clearly define what is 'theirs'. Territoriality, which is the desire to protect what is yours, also helps in the identification of intruders. An area that appears owned and protected is less likely to attract crime. The involvement of young people in the design of public spaces (especially ones in which they congregate such as parks, shopping malls, transport hubs) can help to develop their ownership of public spaces and discourage offending behaviour.

Target hardening involves physical measures to secure buildings and places against access from offenders and can include locks, bars, closed circuit television (CCTV) and security fencing. The use of security measures must be carefully considered, as their indiscriminate use may lead to an increased perception of crime and a lowered sense of safety.

Management of an area creates a sense of ownership and safety and promotes the legitimate use of the space which, in turn, discourages criminal behaviour. 'Broken windows theory', notes that a neighbourhood that is not well-maintained signals that the police, council and residents are not in control or concerned about the area. Management of an area can include provision of adequate lighting, rapid graffiti removal and clearing vegetation.

Further information and advice

Victoria Police Crime Prevention Officers are trained in CPTED. Contact your local Crime Prevention Officer (see right-hand menus for Your Local Police and search for “Crime Prevention Officers”) for advice on design principles to prevent graffiti and other crimes.

Information about design principles can be found in the Victorian Safer Design Guidelines (see right-hand menus).

The Australian Institute of Criminology (see right-hand menus) provides comprehensive information about CPTED approaches, including research, practical guides and case studies.

Urban Design Training (see right-hand menus) which incorporates CPTED is available through the Department of Planning and Community Development.