How we design a space can have a significant impact on both the number of crime incidents that occur and how safe people feel in that space. Perception of safety is a significant driver of how people interact with their environment and behave in that setting. For example, how safe people feel may be the deciding factor for using one particular route over another.
The relationship between design and safety has been well researched globally and the outcomes have proved that thoughtful design can improve safety considerably.
Even when the likelihood of a person being attacked or becoming the victim of crime may be relatively small, if an area feels unsafe then people will be less inclined to use that area. As a result, the area can become unsafe, as levels of use and activity reduce.