Intelligent Space was commissioned to evaluate the role that physical design of schools have on crime vulnerability and to provide design guidance for improved crime prevention purposes. This research formed part of The Safer Schools initiative headed by the Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) of the Home Office. The aim of the research programme was to evaluate whether the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour can be reduced in schools through the application of integrated systems emphasising the use of innovative technology.

Two schools were selected for this work, a primary and a secondary that in recent years have suffered from problems including, trespass, vandalism, attempted burglary and criminal damage.

To better understand the locations and types of crime that occurred and how the layout influences crime vulnerability, ISP undertook space use surveys, computer analysis of CCTV surveillance coverage and 'natural surveillance' coverage from buildings. Some key findings from the study include:

• In both schools, the damage to property occurred mainly in locations that are visually secluded – either from the school or neighbouring buildings.
• In the primary school, the routes by which people trespassed were directly affected by the proximity and surveillance by neighbouring properties. The locations which could not be easily overseen were those targeted as access routes.
• In the primary school, there is a lack of co-ordination between the entrances to the site and those to the building. Without direct, surveilable routes, this weakens the ability of the school grounds to be visually controlled by staff members.