Measuring the effects of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) on fear of crime in public spaces

Abstract Despite decades of research on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), the specific impact of its dimensions on fear of crime (FoC) remains under-examined. This study investigates these effects by analyzing responses from 460 participants who evaluated photographs and completed the Situational Fear of Crime Scale for Public Spaces (SFS-Scale). The findings reveal that deficiencies in natural surveillance, followed by a lack of territoriality, are linked to heightened FoC. Moreover, natural surveillance emerged as a more significant predictor of FoC compared to territoriality. Additionally, police officers and military personnel reported lower levels of FoC than the general public. The study highlights the importance of understanding how CPTED dimensions shape public perceptions of safety. It also offers practical insights for the development of targeted public security policies. These findings suggest that CPTED principles can play a crucial role in reducing fear of crime and enhancing public safety in urban settings.