19 August 2005

“Safer by design” crime reduction strategy launched

Manukau City Council, Counties Manukau Police and Greenmount East Tamaki Business Association (GETBA) have joined forces to launch a two-year strategy to reduce industrial crime through environmental design.

The project has received a $168,000 grant from the Ministry of Justice and a $30,000 grant from Manukau City Council.

The first stage of the strategy is a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) study of the Greenmount/East Tamaki business district. The study, almost completed, will identify crime hotspots. Design issues and other vulnerabilities that expose businesses to crime, will be analysed and recommendations made to reduce these risks.

Helena Maxwell-Numa, Council’s Community Safety Planner, says:

“Manukau City Council is very pleased to support this strategy, which is a national first in terms of using design to reduce crime in a large scale industrial area.”

“We particularly support the focus on practical advice and support for businesses and welcome ongoing assessment of the effectiveness of the strategy, there will be much we can learn from it.”

Police spokesperson Angeline Barlow added:

“This is an excellent example of Council, Police and the community working together to reduce crime and make our communities safer. The strategy will enhance the relationships formed and work towards building a framework for sustained crime reduction in this industrial area and could be used in other crime hotspots across the Manukau area."

After an initial perception survey of businesses to measure current knowledge and concerns around crime and safety, the next stage of the strategy will include “safer by design” and security workshops for GETBA members. Further surveys of businesses will measure ongoing progress and effectiveness strategy. Business Neighbourhood Support (the commercial equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch) will be included as part of the holistic approach.

Central government’s funding of the strategy as a pilot scheme, through the Ministry of Justice, means it could be used as a model nationwide.

Elspeth Mount, Chair of GETBA, says:

“Crime prevention by environmental design is a fresh approach for us and will be a valuable additional tool in our campaign against crime.”

ENDS