CPTED Audit &

Site Assessment Checklists

Michael Coe – OCP – November 2005 2

SAFETY AUDITS AND SITE SAFETY ASSESSMENTS and DESIGN CHECKLIST

Planning for a Site Assessment

Why Conduct a Site Assessment?

To determine community safety factors which increase actual and perceived

vulnerability for users

To determine measures and design applications which will enhance the safety of

a site for users

To identify measures and design application which will deter potential offenders

(for example, by increasing the actual or perceived risk of apprehension).

What do you look for during a Site Assessment?

Site assessments are undertaken by professionals with expertise in CPTED, who will

involve particular specialists as required, to provide comment and solutions on

community safety related issues that are within their areas of expertise (for example,

lighting, landscaping, urban design). During a Site Assessment the locations of

vulnerable areas or uses are noted. This can include community facilities, cultural

centres, car parks, bus stops, open space, school and tertiary institutions, key pedestrian

routes and public toilets.

Site Assessments also look at the potential presence of vulnerable groups, who they are,

how they use the area, whether they are potential or actual targets and why.

Two practical procedures are used to undertake an assessment of an area or site with

respect to community safety. These are the Site Assessment and Safety Audit.

Michael Coe – OCP – November 2005 3

What is a Site Assessment?

A Site Assessment is the process by which professionals and specialists assess a site by

applying Community Safety principles, to determine the factors that are impacting on the

actual and perceived safety of that site for potential users.

It also involves the input and analysis of a broader range of data that should include an

exploration of the wider social, economic and environmental issues. Recommendations

for improvements to the safety of the area are based on this assessment and Crime

Prevention Through Environmental Design principles.

A Site Assessment may include several site visits to assess and investigate various

design aspects of the area. It can also include a subjective process of assessment

known as a Safety Audit.

What is a Safety Audit?

A Safety Audit is a practical way to assess the perceived safety of an area. It involves

representatives of various sectors of the community assessing a site to identify those

factors that impact both negatively and positively on their feelings of safety. It typically

involves a group of people walking around a defined area, with each participant writing

their individual feelings down for later analysis. Participants may be given an overview of

the purpose of the audit prior to undertaking it, but there is no professional input during

the audit. A Safety Audit can be conducted at differing times of the day and night using

the same groups or individuals.

Outcomes from a Safety Audit can include suggestions of practical solutions for issues

that are recognised as having a negative impact on safety.

A Safety Audit allows for the detailed subjective interpretation of the environment from

the perspective of particular user groups ( women, youth, people with disabilities), who

may see an area differently from professionals and experts.

Michael Coe – OCP – November 2005 4

A Safety Audit should ensure that the changes made to an environment are relevant and

meet the needs of user groups. These changes may include:

Different weekend uses or users of an area

Location of generators/attractors for example, licensed premises and gathering

places

Potential for mixed uses/activities such as community events

Fixed activities in the daytime

Level of after hours usage

People’s perception, recognising that crime and perceptions of safety are related

to: gender, aged, mobility, level of disability, culture, etc

Public transport routes and shops – distance to residential areas

General appearance of the area

Lighting

Extent of housing mix

Police activity

Method and location of access to an areas by potential offenders

Existence of Neighbourhood or Business Watch

Role of other business or community bodies

Community development programs

Other programs/processes/systems in existence.

It is also important to take into consideration and anticipate, future trends likely to affect

the areas, including the social mix, and demographics such as age distribution,

education and employment, as well as the nature of catchments for potential offenders

and victims. Future police activity in the area and major change to the urban

infrastructure should also be considered.

Site assessments should be undertaken and submitted with a planning application by an

appropriately qualified professional. Any site assessment should consider a full range of

technical analyses and cover the following steps:-

Michael Coe – OCP – November 2005 5

Step 1 – Preparing for Site Assessments The following should be taken into account when planning a site assessment from a

safety perspective:

 Define the site, context, development or related policies

 What are the safety issues?

 Who should you involve and/or consult in your assessment?

 When to assess the site? Day or night, peak use times, special events times, over

what period?

 Tools to take, camera, maps, video, clipboard, tape-recorder

 What mode of transport to best assess access issues, e.g. walking, cycling, public

transport, motor vehicle or all?

 What method? Full site assessment or safety audit?

Step 2 – Assessment of Wider Context

When assessing the safety related issues of the wider spatial context, the following

should be taken into account:

 Main pedestrian routes from activities to public transport stops and car parking;

 Car parking location;

 Underpasses/overpasses/laneways

Michael Coe – OCP – November 2005 6

Step 3 – Taking account of Vulnerable Land Uses

The following vulnerable land uses should be taken into account when undertaking a site

assessment or safety audit:

 Licensed premises – (including taverns, hotels, entertainment venues, licensed

clubs, off-premises bottle shops and nightclubs)

 Large entertainment and recreational venues,

 Large institutional uses (e.g. tertiary campuses, hospitals)

 Schools

 Car parks (50 spaces and greater),

 Any use operating at night-time (after 9.00pm) or over a 24 hour period – (ATM’s,

service stations, institutions or tertiary educational facilities, public transport

interchanges);

 Any large scale project considered to have wide ranging safety implications such

as (but not limited to) major shopping centres.

 Public telephones

 Public toilets

 Automatic Teller Machines

 Public open space, parks etc.

Step 4 – Safety Through Other’s Eyes

When undertaking a site assessment or safety audit the following are issues related to

people which should be taken into consideration:

 Footpath surfaces.

 Distance between car parks and entrances to facilities and shopping centres.

 Safe facilities for children.

 Safe movement from edges to centres.

 Heights of signs.

 Access to public transport.

 Ease of mobility.

Michael Coe – OCP – November 2005 7

 Consultation –

 with different cultural groups to improve understanding of the design

environment;

 with men and women to understand gender differences relating to different

feelings of safety and different levels of fear;

 with the aged and disabled on access, mobility, signage and safety.

Planning for a Safety Audit

Why conduct a Safety Audit

It is recognised that poor urban design and management are contributing factors to fear

of crime in a community. However, those best placed to determine the factors that

contribute to fear of crime are often not the specialists or crime prevention professionals

but people who live, work or play in the community of interest. A Safety Audit involves

those user groups in identifying vulnerable areas and factors that contribute to, or detract

from feelings of safety in areas. It is a qualitative process that records subjective feelings

and perceptions from the participants as a means of identifying community safety issues.

Safety Audits can:

Identify factors that enhance the actual and perceived vulnerability of a site and

therefore, the potential problems

Provide guidance for future planning and building development

Assist in developing a sense of community ownership and responsibility.

Michael Coe – OCP – November 2005 8

PROBLEM AND SUGGESTED

IMPROVEMENTS FORM (FOR CPTED AUDITS)

LOCATION DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Michael Coe – OCP – November 2005 9

Audit Findings:

IDENTIFIED SITE ISSUES ARISING

(DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN

ACTUAL AND PERCEIVED)

SUGGESTIONS FOR CRIME

PREVENTION STRATEGIES CPTED PRINCIPLE INVOLVED STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT

RECOMMENDED

1. 2. 3. 4.

Michael Coe – OCP – September 2005 Page 10

CPTED AUDIT CHECKLIST (1)

1. General Impressions What are your gut reactions to this place? How comfortable do you feel? What makes you feel this way?

2. Lighting How good is the lighting? Does it evenly illuminate the area or create shadows? Are any lights broken and are there any signs indicating who to report this to? Do trees or bushes obscure lighting? How well are pedestrian walkways illuminated? Are you able to identify a face 25 metres away? Does lighting illuminate directional signs or maps?

3. Signage Are there directional signs nearby? Are there signs to show you where to seek emergency assistance? What signs should be added?

4. Sightlines Can you see clearly what’s ahead, if not, why? Are there hiding places? Does landscaping block sightlines? What would make it easier to see? (angled corners, mirrors, trimmed bushes etc)

5. Isolation Does the area feel isolated? Is it easy to predict when people will be around? Do you feel safe waiting for public transport here? How far away is the nearest person to call for help? Is the area patrolled or monitored with surveillance equipment? Is the area designed to facilitate natural surveillance? (e.g. windows on the street vs. blank walls)

6. Movement Predictors How easy is it to predict a pedestrian’s route? Is there an alternative well-lit route? Can you see what is at the end of this route?

7. Entrapment sites Are there recessed areas that could be locked? e.g. laneways. Are there small confined areas where someone could hide? (between garbage bins, doorways, construction sites)

Michael Coe – OCP – September 2005 Page 11

8. Escape Routes How easy would it be for an offender to disappear? Is there more than one exit?

9. Activity uses How much activity is there in the area, during the day or at night? Does the activity levels provide for passive surveillance of the area? Are activity uses compatible with each other?

10. Maintenance Is there evidence of graffiti or vandalism? Is there litter lying around? Do you know who to report maintenance to? Does the place feel cared for? Are there other materials/textures/colours/features that would make the place feel safer?

11. Territorial Definition Is the site clearly defined? Are transitional zones defined? Is there conflicting use of space? Is there a clear definition between public and private space?

Michael Coe – OCP – September 2005 Page 12

CPTED AUDIT CHECKLIST (2)

SATISFACTORY UNSATISFACTORY

Finding your way around

1. Lighting of safe routes

2. Sightlines

3. Signage

4. Hardware to summons help

5. Choice of pathway routes

6. Problem spots

Surveillance and visibility

7. Land use mix

8. Activity generation in public places

9. Social mix

10. Natural surveillance of gathering areas

11. Concealment opportunities

12. Building floor/ plans and observation/window placement

13. Site layout

14. Playgrounds

15. Pathways

16. Service areas

17. Public utilities – telephones, ATMs, bus shelters/ stops

18. Youth recreation facilities

19. Public toilets

20. After hours surveillance

21. Car parking

22. Fences and gates

23. Blind corner visibility

Landscaping

24. Mature vegetation

25. Planting size, type and number

26. Concealment opportunities

27. Sightlines

28. Relationship to lighting

Lighting

29. Lighting levels

30. Glare

31. Car park/underpass/overpass/crossing lighting

32. Lighting type/design

33. Ease of maintenance

34. Lighting of pedestrian routes

35. Needs of special groups

36. Relationship to landscaping

Territorial Definition

37. Site definition

38. Transitional zones defined

39. Signs/cues

40. Territorial entrance – privacy

41. Conflicting space use

42. Licensed premises

Image

43. Maintenance

44. Graffiti and vandalism

Michael Coe – OCP – September 2005 Page 13

Planning

45. Conflicting land uses

46. Land use mix

47. Social mix for interaction

Management

48. Attention to needs of vulnerable groups activity

49. Management and maintenance

50. Opportunities for intervention

51. Transportation, location of bus stops in relation to

52. Surface materials/unevenness

53. Obstructions of pathways

Building materials/structures/furniture

54. Vandal resistant materials

55. Level of maintenance

56. Street furniture

57. Quality of doors/shutters

58. Construction image

Access/egress control

59. Entrance control systems – staff, hardware etc.

60. Entry points – number/location

61. Safe routes to car parks/street

62. Fencing

63. Signage

64. Non legitimate user access

65. Laneways

66. Overpasses/tunnels

67. Security hardware

68. Reception/high risk spaces

69. Windows and grilles

70. Balcony access

71. External storage

72. Visibility of post boxes

73. Separation of conflicting uses – pedestrian/vehicle/cyclist

Activity Uses

74. Current users

75. After hours use

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