Defensible space: a critical review of the theory and practice of a crime prevention strategy

Abstract

Defensible space is a principle of crime prevention that has become embodied in current public policy through ‘Secured by Design’, a scheme operated by the police providing advice to housing developers. Through enclavization, for instance cul de sac layouts, the intention is to create exclusive living environments, which will precipitate territoriality and a sense of community in residents, resulting in collective action against crime. The implication is that these reactions are invoked by design factors alone. This article is based on doctoral research into the relationship between defensible space design, fear of crime, and community cohesion and informal social control. The aim of the article is to consider the theoretical issues relating to defensible space, including the importance of design in relation to crime, the reliability of territoriality and community in crime prevention, and the effects of excluding strangers by restricting access. It is argued that these theoretical issues are underpinned by problematic assumptions about the interaction of human behaviour and the environment, and the validity of defensible space as a universal crime prevention strategy is therefore questioned. In addition, the adherence by police policymakers to enclavization negates the crime-preventive potential of alternative housing layouts.