20 Strategies using CPTED on your home

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) uses environmental design to deter crime and enhance safety. Below is a list of 20 tools and strategies, grounded in CPTED principles (natural surveillance, natural access control, territorial reinforcement, and maintenance), that can be applied to make a home safer. These tools focus on proactive design and management of the physical environment to reduce crime opportunities and increase the perception of safety. 1.      Motion-Detector Lighting: Install motion-activated lights on all sides of the home to illuminate dark areas at night, deterring intruders by increasing visibility. 

2.      Deadbolt Locks: Use anti-bumping deadbolt locks on all exterior doors to prevent unauthorized entry, enhancing physical security. 

3.      Low Shrubs (90cm Rule): Trim bushes to no higher than 90cm to eliminate hiding spots for criminals, supporting natural surveillance.

4.      Tree Canopy Maintenance (3m rule): Prune tree branches to hang no lower than 3 metres from the ground, ensuring clear sightlines.

5.      Prickly Vegetation: Plant thorny plants (e.g., spiky bougainvillea, maybe even cactus) under windows to discourage access to vulnerable entry points.

6.      Fencing with Visibility: Install fences (e.g., wrought iron or chain-link) that define property boundaries without obstructing views, balancing access control and surveillance.

7.      Window Locks: Secure all windows with high-quality locks to prevent easy access, reinforcing physical security.

8.      Clear Signage: Use signs to mark private property (e.g., “No Trespassing” or address markers), reinforcing territoriality and ownership.

9.      Surveillance Cameras: Install visible security cameras to deter criminals and enhance monitoring, complementing natural surveillance.

10.  Well-Lit Pathways: Ensure walkways to entrances are well-lit with dusk-to-dawn or motion-sensor lights to guide visitors and deter offenders.

11.  Open-View Windows: Avoid heavy curtains or obstructions on ground-floor windows to allow visibility in and out, promoting natural surveillance.

12.  Reinforced Doors: Use solid-core or metal doors with peepholes to strengthen entry points and allow safe observation.

13.  Garage Door Locks: Lock the garage door and the door connecting the garage to the home to prevent easy access. (If you have a garage)

14.  Anti-Graffiti Coatings: Apply anti-graffiti paint on exterior walls to deter vandalism and maintain a cared-for appearance.

15.  Neighbour Visibility Design: Position front doors and windows to face the street or neighbours’ homes, enabling passive surveillance.

16.  Driveway Alarms: Install sensors that alert homeowners to movement in the driveway, enhancing awareness of potential intruders.  Most Ring Camera’s have these and most popular surveillance brands.

17.  Clear Landscaping: Keep lawns mowed and free of clutter to signal an occupied and maintained property, reducing signs of neglect.

18.  Gate Latches with Locks: Use lockable latches on backyard or side gates to restrict unauthorized access to private areas, enhancing natural access control.

19.  Community Signage: Display neighbourhood watch signs to signal active community monitoring, reinforcing territoriality.

20.  Porch or Patio Design: Create well-lit, visible porches or patios to encourage legitimate use and deter unauthorised activity. Bonus

Reflective Address Markers: Install highly visible, reflective house numbers on the home and mailbox to aid emergency responders and signal a well-maintained property, reinforcing territoriality. Cheap and very effective! Window Security Film: Apply shatter-resistant film to ground-floor windows to prevent break-ins while maintaining visibility, strengthening access control without obstructing surveillance.  A little more expensive, but it slows the intruder, and that may give you time to get safe, secure or prepared!

By applying these tools, homeowners can reduce crime opportunities, enhance safety perceptions, and foster a sense of community control. From the author.

The opinions and statements are those of Sam Wilks and do not necessarily represent whom Sam Consults or contracts to. Sam Wilks is a skilled and experienced Security and Risk Consultant with 3 decades of expertise in the fields of Real estate, Security, and the hospitality/gaming industry. Sam has trained over 1,000 entry level security personnel, taught defensive tactics, weapons training and handcuffs to policing personnel and the public. His knowledge and practical experience have made him a valuable asset to many organisations looking to enhance their security measures and provide a safe and secure environment for their clients and staff.