Introduction

Abstract

It’s January 2013, and after many months of writing I am sitting down to conclude the final chapter of a book which represents approximately half of my life’s work — the Introduction. I have left this until last because I want to be able to tell you what to expect and because, in my view, the Introduction represents the most difficult part of any book. I want to begin by saying a few words about designing out crime before outlining the content of this book. For me, designing out crime represents one of the most common-sense approaches to crime reduction. It may not have the same appeal as offender based interventions, but designing out crime represents both a long-term approach and one which requires the collaboration of partners as diverse as police, planners, architects, developers and community groups. This approach is often criticised as simplistic, as focusing upon quick wins and avoiding the root causes of crime. For me, there is little simplism about an approach which requires the collaboration of such diverse partners. There is little short-term about an approach which involves several years of planning and designing — even before a property is built. Suggesting that designing out crime fails to address the root causes of crime is to deny that opportunities play any part in offender decision-making; hopefully, after reading this book you will understand that opportunities do play a part.