AC3.2 Describe the contribution of agencies to achieving social control Flashcards
In what two ways can the built environment affect the level of crime?
Influencing potential offenders, e.g. presenting them with opportunities to commit crime
By affecting people’s ability to exercise control over their surrounding
According to Oscar Newman, what is meant by ‘indefensible spaces’?
Indefensible spaces are where crime is likely to occur, in what he calls ‘confused’ areas of public space such as anonymous walkways and stairways. They belong to non-one, are cared for by no-one, and are observed by no-one
Give an example of an indefensible space found by Newman in his study.
High-rise blocks in New York, Newman found that 55% of all the crimes committed occurred in public spaces such as hallways, lifts, stairwells and lobbies, because no-one felt they ‘owned’ them
According to Newman, what is meant by ‘defensible spaces’? Why do they have a low crime rate?
Areas where there are clear boundaries so it is obvious who has the right to be there.
What are the 4 features of defensible spaces according to Newman?
Territoriality, surveillance, a safe image and a protected location
What is meant by ‘territoriality’?
Territoriality fosters a sense of ownership and control among residents, signaling that certain areas are private. Features like cul-de-sacs reinforce this by projecting a private image and enhancing security
what is meant by natural surveillance?
Features of buildings such as easily-viewed entrance lobbies and street-level windows allow residents to identify and observe strangers.
How are cul-de-sacs relevant to natural surveillance?
Cul-de-sacs allow residents to overlook each other’s homes
How do high-rise blocks show how the environment can aid crime?
High-rise blocks allow offenders to come and go whilst remaining concealed
Why is a safe image important for a neighbourhood?
Building designs should give the impression of a safe neighbourhood where residents look after each other. A negative image means the area will be stigmatised (negatively labelled) and targeted by offenders.
What is the impact of a safe location?
Neighbourhoods located in the middle of a wider crime-free area are insulated from the outside world by a ‘moat’ of safety.
Give three examples of how planners have attempted to ‘design crime out’.
On the Lisson Green estate in West London, the removal of overhead walkways led to a 50% reduction in crime
Some police forces now employ architectural liaison officers to ‘build in’ crime prevention features at the design stage for new buildings
The ‘Secured by Design’ (SBD) kitemark scheme used by the building industry indicates that a new building meets crime prevention standards. Home Office research found a 30% lower burglary rate in SBD houses
According to C.F. Jeffrey, what is the importance of a built environment in relation to crime?
C.R. Jeffery expanded Newman’s defensible space concept into Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), emphasising that the built environment can influence criminal opportunities and reduce crime through strategic design.
Summarise the findings of Alice Coleman in her study of London.
In the UK, Alice Coleman analysed 4,099 London flat blocks, linking poor design to higher crime and anti-social behaviour. She identified anonymity, lack of surveillance, and easy escape as key design flaws encouraging crime.
What were Colman’s three recommendations in relation to the built environment?
No more blocks of flats should be built
Each existing block should have its own garden or private space, so residents would look after it.
Overhead walkways should be removed because they obstruct surveillance
What are gated lanes?
Gated lanes are an example of a CPTED tactic to ‘design crime out’ of an environment.
Why are gated lanes used?
Gated lanes are lockable gates installed to secure alleyways, often behind older terraced houses. They help prevent burglaries, fly-tipping, anti-social behavior, dog fouling, and can create safe play areas for children.
According to Sidebottom et al, what are the seven reasons why gated lanes reduce burglary rates?
They provide a physical barrier, thus increasing the effort required to commit a crime
Residents taking responsibility for closing the gates increases guardianship and surveillance
Gates increase residents’ sense of territoriality
Offenders can no longer use the excuse that they thought it was public space
Open alleys may suffer from the ‘broken windows’ problem of disorderly, uncared for space that invites crime. Gating indicates it is a cared-for space that doesn’t tolerate crime
Gating may reduce the rewards of crime. For example, it will be difficult to steal large objects if the offender has to climb over tall gates with the items
Cost maybe an issue for residents in some areas, although Sidebottom et al found that the average cost was £728 per gate and that the average benefit was over twice the cost (£2.19 for every £1 spent)
List 4 limitations of gated lanes as a crime prevention strategy
While they may decrease criminals entering from outside, they don’t work against criminals who live within the gated area.
In areas where neighbours don’t know or don’t trust each other, residents may be less likely to get together to install gates, or may not take responsibility for them.
There may be difficulties installing gates if the alley is a public right of way, or if it has several owners all of whom will need to agree. There needs to be full consultation with residents to win their commitment to the scheme.
Gated lanes can restrict access for emergency services and refuse collectors, which can be a problem.
Explain three ways in which CPTED links to right realist theories and ideas
Situational crime prevention (SCP) Like SCP, CPTED involves ‘target hardening’ by changing the physical environment to make it harder to commit crime: e.g. barriers to prevent vehicle access to a neighbourhood will make getaways harder
Felson’s routine activity theory emphasises the importance of a ‘capable guardian’ protecting potential crime targets. In CPTED, mutual surveillance by neighbours act as a guardian
Rational choice theory CPTED sees offenders acting rationally. For example, if intruders fear they will be challenged by residents, they will be more likely to stay away from the area
Describe five criticisms of CPTED in reducing crime rates.
CPTED focuses on defence from outsiders who come into the area to offend, but insiders commit crime too; e.g. domestic violence
CPTED cannot prevent offences that don’t involve physical intrusion into a neighbourhood, such as cybercrime, fraud, and white collar and corporate crime
Cul-de-sacs might be defensible spaces - but they might not actually be defended. For example, if the residents are all out at work all day, there is no surveillance. This highlights how social factors (such as employment patterns) can interact with environmental factors
Some housing estates have high crime rates because of councils’ housing allocation policies rather than because of how they are designed. Some councils place ‘problem families’ with a history of anti-social behaviour on ‘sink’ estates
An area’s reputation rather than its design may cause a high crime rate. If police regard a particular estate as crime-ridden, they will patrol it more, leading to more arrests, a higher recorded crime rate and an even worse reputation
Briefly explain how the Panopticon prison design can produce self-surveillance.
In the Panopticon, prisoners’ cells are visible from a central watchtower, but they cannot see the guards. Uncertainty about being watched forces prisoners to self-discipline, turning surveillance into self-surveillance.
How might Foucault’s surveillance theory apply in today’s society?
Foucault’s surveillance theory suggests that self-surveillance is a key form of social control, as we regulate our own behaviour knowing we might be watched, such as by CCTV cameras.
What were Anti-social Behaviour Orders introduced to deal with?
To deal with low-level anti-social behaviour such as vandalism, graffiti, public drunkenness and youths gathering to play loud music at night.
What were ASBOs?
ASBOs were civil orders used to prevent actions that threatened others’ legal rights, such as stopping noisy behaviour outside someone’s house late at night.
