Good design prevents crime

Inspector Tony Lake of the Queensland Police Service was in New Zealand recently to address the Community Patrols New Zealand Training Seminar in Hamilton.



Tony also visited Turangi and Napier where he met with local police and community members to discuss specific problems with a view to providing crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) expertise.

In Turangi the community has been concerned about pedestrians on and jumping from the State Highway 1 bridge over the Tongariro River. The meeting organised by Constable Theresa Bishara brought together members of the Community Board, local residents and iwi along with council staff and police. Senior Sergeant Dennis Murphy said that by bringing in a CPTED expert police were able to offer some options to improve safety as well as get different community groups to work together on a local issue.

In Napier Tony gave another CPTED presentation at the police station and looked at the Mararenui Shopping Complex from a CPTED perspective.

Tony says CPTED offers an ideal platform for police to work with local authorities as they are generally responsible for urban design. However, Tony is keen to point out that while CPTED principles and analysis can reduce the opportunity for crime to occur it is only one of the crime reduction tools available to police.

Tony’s visit to New Zealand wound up in Christchurch where he conducted a presentation hosted by the Christchurch City Council in conjunction with Neighbourhood Support. He also discussed specific CPTED issues with Selwyn District Council and local police.