Designing out crime
Tuesday, August 28 2007
After wide consultation, Scottish Borders Council has published new planning guidance on ‘Designing Out Crime’ – setting out how the planning process can help reduce opportunities for crime and antisocial behaviour. The guidance draws together best practice principles and looks at issues from a Scottish Borders perspective.
The guidance includes elements from the Police ‘Secured by Design’ initiative, which sets a minimum standard for safety and security, particularly for individual properties. Although crime statistics for the Scottish Borders show a low risk of serious and violent crime, opportunistic crime exists in both rural and urban contexts. While the Scottish Borders has a relatively low instance of housebreaking when compared with the rest of the Lothian and Borders force area, with more attention to detail much of this housebreaking could be deterred.
The Designing out Crime document aims to improve awareness amongst the development industry and householders in the Scottish Borders and to ensure that the layout, landscaping, lighting and design of all new developments contribute to creating an attractive and safe environment. The guidance can be accessed via the Council web site at:
http://www.scotborders.gov.uk/life/planningandbuilding/plansandresearch/20618.html
Should you require further information, please contact Andrew Evans on 01721 726305 Ext: 6423.
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