ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides design profession and those involved in the discipline of design meet the challenges presented by the competing needs and complex systems around crime and security. It explains how the design of everyday products, places and services impacts on the types and levels of offending behaviour. The book explores the Design against Crime programme that was established to embed crime prevention within design education and practice, and promote its capacity to improve quality of life by addressing societal challenges such as crime and security. It describes the human experience of crime victimisation and feelings of insecurity, and impact on enjoyment of products, places and services. The book focuses on the design of the urban environment – an area to benefit from sustained effort in terms of design policy and practice.