Crime and antisocial behaviour are not random. They are often influenced by the design, use, and visibility of the environment in which they occur. Environmental crime prevention focuses on reducing crime opportunities by shaping safer, more functional spaces through planning and design.
At Smartsec Security Solutions, we apply this approach through the internationally recognised model of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). We work with local governments, developers, schools, and asset managers across Western Australia to deliver tailored CPTED assessments that reduce risk and improve community safety—without relying on invasive infrastructure or high-cost security systems.
What Is Environmental Crime Prevention?
Environmental crime prevention is a proactive, place-based strategy that seeks to deter crime by altering the built environment. It involves modifying spatial design, improving natural visibility, managing access, and encouraging legitimate use of space.
Rather than focusing solely on catching offenders, this approach reduces the opportunity for crime to occur in the first place. It is most commonly delivered using CPTED—a multi-principle framework that encourages thoughtful planning, design, and management of urban and shared spaces.
CPTED: The Foundation of Environmental Crime Prevention
CPTED is based on the understanding that the built environment can be designed to:
- Deter criminal behaviour
- Improve perceptions of safety
- Encourage legitimate activity
- Reduce demand for reactive security measures
There are several core CPTED principles, each playing a role in shaping safer spaces:
Natural Surveillance
Designing environments to maximise visibility—through lighting, open sightlines, and strategic placement of windows or walkways—reduces the likelihood of unwanted behaviour by increasing the chance of being seen.
Access Control
Using physical and symbolic barriers such as fencing, gates, path networks, or landscaping to guide movement and limit access to vulnerable areas.
Territorial Reinforcement
Clear boundaries between public and private space, such as signage, surface changes, or planting, signal ownership and encourage people to take responsibility for their environment.
Maintenance and Management
A well-kept space discourages vandalism, loitering, and neglect. Regular cleaning, quick graffiti removal, and lighting repairs all send a message that the area is monitored and cared for.
Lighting and Visibility After Hours
Adequate lighting deters opportunistic crime and improves the sense of safety. We assess lighting in line with AS/NZS 1158 standards and its relationship with CCTV performance and passive visibility.
Legitimate Activity Support
Designing spaces to support safe, active use—such as community events, sports, or casual seating—reduces the dominance of antisocial behaviour by populating the area with appropriate activity.
Integrating Environmental Crime Prevention into Planning and Development
Environmental crime prevention is most effective when introduced early in the planning process—whether for a new development, park upgrade, or civic redesign. This allows CPTED principles to be embedded from the ground up, rather than retrofitted later at higher cost or complexity.
Smartsec Security Solutions works closely with:
- Local councils during design of public realm and infrastructure upgrades
- Developers and architects during planning submissions or precinct design
- Town teams and place managers seeking activation without compromising safety
- Community safety officers applying for crime prevention grants
- Education providers designing or modifying learning environments
Our assessments support DA submissions, project planning, funding justification, and stakeholder engagement—offering practical, context-aware recommendations that align with long-term goals.
What Our CPTED Assessments Include
Every CPTED assessment by Smartsec Security Solutions is tailored to site context and project objectives. A standard assessment includes:
- Review of current site conditions (day and night)
- Application of CPTED principles with photographic evidence
- Crime and safety profile (local incident data or anecdotal input)
- Walkthrough analysis of blind spots, access issues, concealment zones
- Lighting and landscaping review
- Territorial definition and passive supervision evaluation
- Prioritised recommendations (short, medium, and long-term)
- Optional inclusion of CPTED site maps or concept overlays
We also reference ISO 31000:2018 risk principles to structure recommendations for risk reduction and defensible planning.
Real-World Examples of Environmental Crime Prevention in Action
Here are a few ways we’ve applied environmental crime prevention strategies in recent projects:
- Public park safety review: By adjusting landscape design and increasing passive surveillance near skate parks and public toilets, we helped reduce antisocial behaviour in a regional WA town.
- Laneway revitalisation: We advised on lighting upgrades, fence removal, and improved activation points to turn a neglected laneway into a safer and more community-friendly space.
- School perimeter audit: For a large secondary campus, we identified perimeter weaknesses and CPTED opportunities to reduce unauthorised after-hours access and improve passive security.
- Shopping precinct upgrades: In collaboration with property managers, we reviewed access control and after-hours visibility in carparks, shared service areas, and delivery corridors.
Each of these projects benefitted from low-cost, design-first recommendations that reduced dependence on security patrols and increased community confidence.
Who Can Benefit from Environmental Crime Prevention?
Our CPTED and environmental crime prevention services are ideal for:
- Local governments and community infrastructure managers
- Developers submitting planning applications
- Schools and tertiary education campuses
- Commercial centres and retail precincts
- Asset managers responsible for parks, carparks, or shared spaces
- Health and aged care providers seeking safer outdoor areas
- Event organisers and place activation initiatives
We offer one-off assessments, portfolio-wide reviews, or strategic input during planning or capital works delivery.
Why Choose Smartsec Security Solutions?
- Fully independent – no affiliation with installers or product suppliers
- ISO 31000 and CPTED-trained specialists
- Over 17 years of experience in physical security and environmental design
- Based in Perth, WA, with metro and regional experience
- Reports tailored for planners, project managers, and operational staff
- Clear, visual outputs suitable for community engagement or council reporting
Our advice is honest, grounded, and focused on outcomes—not sales.
Need Help Applying Environmental Crime Prevention?
If you’re planning a development, responding to safety concerns, or applying for community safety funding, we can help.
Visit our Security Consulting Services page to request a CPTED assessment or speak with our consultants.
Let’s make your space safer, more accessible, and future-ready—through better design and risk-informed decisions.
FAQs: Environmental Crime Prevention and CPTED
What’s the difference between CPTED and traditional security?
Traditional security often focuses on detection and response (e.g. cameras, guards). CPTED focuses on prevention by shaping the environment itself to reduce crime opportunity.
Can CPTED be retrofitted?
Yes. While best applied during planning, CPTED principles can be introduced through upgrades, landscaping changes, signage, lighting, and minor infrastructure improvements.
Do you need planning experience to apply CPTED?
No—but working with a consultant who understands planning processes helps align CPTED outcomes with broader development goals.
Is CPTED only for public spaces?
Not at all. CPTED principles can apply to schools, retail precincts, aged care homes, transport hubs, or anywhere people gather or move.
