Resume
Protecting Soft Targets Through Environmental Design
Ing. Klaudia Kubalová, University of Žilina, Department of Security Management
In the article, we focused on the protection of soft targets using the CPTED method, which has proven to be an effective crime prevention strategy abroad.
In the early 1970s in England, several studies initiated by the UK Home Office demonstrated that architectural design can be used effectively in influencing crime rates. These studies have proven that the right combination of security hardware, design and psychology can create a physical environment that inherently deters crime.
Crime prevention through environmental design represents a complex approach to crime reduction, which is based on the science of environmental criminology, urban design and architecture, and also requires the involvement of various components (police, developers and others).
The importance and topicality of this issue is proven by statistics showing high numbers of attacks on soft targets in Europe. Every year, hundreds of innocent people become victims of attacks. For this reason, in order to eliminate unwanted incidents, increased attention to the protection of soft targets is necessary. Objects belonging to this category often have very weak protection against the occurrence of terrorist attacks, violent criminal activity, but also other manifestations of criminality.
Keywords: security, soft targets, crime, crime prevention, CPTED concept.