Designing out Crime from Evidence to Action

Designing Out Crime is an increasingly fashionable crime prevention approach, which is being implemented on a global scale (Cisneros, 1995) despite criticisms concerning the apparent lack of evidence to support this approach. This paper reviews the evidence and argues that although residual uncertainty remains, there is a large body of research, which supports Designing Out Crime as a pragmatic and effective crime prevention approach. The paper discusses an innovative approach adopted in Western Australia, which is seeking to embed Designing Out Crime within the State’s planning process and public policy frameworks. 1 Dr Paul Cozens is a Principal Policy Officer for Designing Out Crime in the Office of Crime Prevention, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Government of Western Australia. [email protected] or [email protected].