Natural Surveillance

Natural Surveillance is a design concept directed primarily at keeping intruders under observation. It increases the perceived risk to an offender, the primary aim being to keep the intruders under observation and not keep the intruders out though it may eventually work to that effect. It utilizes design features to increase the visibility of a property or building. Proper placement increases the likelihood individuals will observe intruders and regular users, challenge inappropriate behaviour, or call the police or property owner. Natural surveillance deters crime by making the offender’s behaviour easily noticeable to a passing resident, employee, customer, police patrol, or private security detail.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Natural access control

Natural access control relies on doors, fences, shrubs, and other physical elements to keep unauthorised persons out of a particular place if they do not have a legitimate reason for being there. Properly located entrances, exits, fencing, landscaping and lighting can subtly direct both foot and vehicular traffic in ways that decreases criminal opportunities..

Access control involves the use of design features that deny offenders access to targets, reduce their escape opportunities and guide legitimate users through the environment. Natural access control involves the use of the environment to clearly mark borders and transitional zones to psychologically deter movement of illegitimate users into protected space. Human measures such as security guards can also be used. Further measures include security hardware, which is often referred to as target hardening.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Territorial reinforcement

Territorial reinforcement is the use of physical features designed to express ownership and control of the environment and delineate private and semi-private spaces reducing ambiguity of space ownership. The concept of territorial reinforcement suggests that physical design can create or extend a sphere of territorial influence which may be perceived by potential offenders. The environment should be designed to clearly delineate private spaces. Provide obvious defined entries, patios, balconies and terraces. Use low walls, landscape and paving patterns to delineate ownership and responsibility.

Supplementing design with regularly scheduled staff or activities, routine inspections, and maintenance enhances territorial reinforcement. Identifying intruders is much easier in such well defined spaces. Territorial reinforcement can be seen to work when a space, by its clear legibility, transparency, and directness, discourages potential offenders because of users’ familiarity with each other and the surroundings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The more dilapidated an area, the more likely it is to attract unwanted activities. The maintenance and the ‘image’ of an area can have a major impact on whether it will become targeted. Another extension of the concept is that a general sense of security can be reinforced through the development of the identity and image of a community. This not only addresses the image that a population has of itself, and its domain, but also the projection of that image to others. 

 

 

Maintenance and management

Maintenance and management need to be considered at the design stage, as the selection of materials and finishes will impact on the types of maintenance regimes that can be sustained over time. Active management and maintenance is required to ensure the continued use of the space for the purpose intended and increased feelings of safety for users. Areas that are run-down and the subject of graffiti and vandalism are generally more intimidating than areas which do not display such characteristics.

Care and maintenance allows for the continued use of a space for its intended purpose. Deterioration and blight indicate less concern and control by the intended users of a site and indicate a greater tolerance of disorder. The removal of indicators of crime and the use of positive maintenance with lighting, painting and vegetation management creates a cared for environment that can reduce the fear of crime and induce legitimate behaviour.