NCJ Number
238571
Editor(s)
Paul Ekblom
Date Published
2012
Length
305 pages
Annotation
Chapters by various authors focus on the importance of designing products so as to deter or prevent their criminal use or theft, with attention to designs for particular products, such as bicycles and handbags.
Abstract
The first chapter reviews what has been done by the United Kingdom and the European Union in promoting design against crime. In 2007, for example, the UK Government supported product design for security by establishing the Design and Technology Alliance Against Crime. Over a period of 3 years, it has produced a series of products and case studies. Independent, rigorous evaluations are needed to determine which designs work best for particular products. One chapter argues that even the most elementary and self-evident design ideas require research and trial testing in various contexts to determine a design's effectiveness. A number of chapters contain statements of evaluation principle and practice and examples of evaluations with real products. In the United Kingdom, the system for promoting and evaluating design against crime remains inadequate. In order to maintain the implementation of crime prevention through product design, governments should establish a climate and a system of incentives and consumer expectation hostile to criminogenic products and supportive of effective crime-prevention designs. In addressing specific design issues, one chapter focuses on packaging, which may prevent counterfeiting. Perhaps the most fundamental issue raised in the book is whether design against crime is evolving from a multidisciplinary field where crime scientists, criminologists, and designers work alongside one another sharing ideas and exchanging perspectives. 14 tables, 12 figures, chapter notes, a 250-item bibliography, and a subject index