Crime by Design: An Exploratory Investigation
| Author | Learn A. Craig |
| DOI | 10.1177/146135579900100202 |
| Published date | 01 May 1998 |
| Date | 01 May 1998 |
| Subject Matter | Theoretical Review Paper |
International Journal of Police
Science
&
Management
Volume 1
Number
2
Theoretical Review Papers
Crime by design: An exploratory
investigation
Learn A. Craig
Forensic Psychology Practice, Willows Clinic, 105 Short Heath Road, Erdington,
Birmingham, B23 6LH
Received: 20th August, 1997
Leam A. Craig is aforensic psychologist
employed in aprivate practice. His work
mainly includes the assessment
of
the in-
dividual in criminal, civil, immigration,
and
personal injury cases.
Research interests include the process
and
operational value
of
offender
profiling,
geographical analysis
of
serial offenders,
and
the application
of
psychology to agencies in
the criminal justice system.
ABSTRACT
This paper extends
and
develops
Newman
5
(1972)
theory
if
defensible space, by inves-
tigating changes in criminal activity as a result
if
are-development programme initiated by a
district council and local police authority.
As
part
of
are-development programme, the hous-
ing estate underwent changes in environmental
and residential design as part
of
a crime
prevention campaign to reduce criminal activity.
The
offence types: burglary, criminal damage,
thift
if
a motor vehicle and
thift
from a motor
vehicle were assessed both before and after
the implementation
of
the redevelopment pro-
gramme. Problems in analysing qualitative
data were overcome by using a non-metric
multidimensional scaling analysis, Partial Or-
der Scalogram
Analysis
(POSA).
The
crime
site profiles
if
all
four
qffences were shown to
be qualitatively and quantitatively different in
the 'new' estate. It was
found
that, where
access
by both roads and footpaths had been
restricted, the crime site profile changed favour-
ing features such as a corner
and
terraced
and identifying a new, vulnerable property.
Reported qffences relating to motor vehicles
reduced sign
ifican
tly. However, incidences
if
both burglary
and
criminal damage increased.
It was argued that this shift in offence type was
an example
if
'displacement theory', whereby,
due to the restrictions imposed in the
new
estate, the criminal activity had been displaced
towards an alternative offence.
Keywords: Defensible space theory,
burglary, criminal damage, theft,
environmental
and
residential design,
crime prevention,
displacement
theory, crime template, target
selection, crime site profiling, Partial
Order
Scalogram Analysis, non-
metric multidimensional
scaling
analysis.
INTRODUCTION
Newman
(1972)
proposed
the
defensible
space
theory
as a
link
between
the
physical
environment
and
crime.
Accord-
ing
to
the
theory,
design
features
that
act
as territorial displays increase resident's
territorial
concern
(Shaw
and
Gifford,
1994).
Such
features are
perceived
as
indicative
of
occupants
who
are
more
likely to
defend
their
territory
and,
consequently,
the
property
is
perceived
as
InternationalJournal of Police
Science and Management,
Vol. 1
No.2,
1998,pp.l09-121.
©Henry
Stewart Publications.
1360-8576
Page 109
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