By Isangelo Senna, Fabio Iglesias, Lucas Heiki Matsunaga

Abstract Despite decades of research on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), the specifc impact of its dimensions on fear of crime (FoC) remains under-examined. This study investigates these efects by analyzing responses from 460 participants who evaluated photographs and completed the Situational Fear of Crime Scale for Public Spaces (SFS-Scale). The fndings reveal that defciencies in natural surveillance, followed by a lack of territoriality, are linked to heightened FoC. Moreover, natural surveillance emerged as a more signifcant predictor of FoC compared to territoriality. Additionally, police ofcers 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 ofers practical insights for the development of targeted public security policies. These fndings suggest that CPTED principles can play a crucial role in reducing fear of crime and enhancing public safety in urban settings.

Crime Prevention and Community Safety (2025) 27:1–17 

By Cozens, P. M., Neale, R. H., Whitaker, J., Hillier, D., Graham, M.

This paper critically examines the relationship between street lighting and crime in the British city context. Prompted by recent government investment to modernize street lighting, the authors analyze how lighting affects both actual crime rates and fear of crime. It questions the reliability of current British Standards (BS 5489) that are used to determine lighting needs, pointing out discrepancies between official crime data and public perceptions of safety. Drawing on historical and contemporary research, the paper suggests that improved lighting can contribute to crime reduction and greater public confidence, but only when contextually appropriate. The review calls for a broader understanding of how urban lighting affects both real and perceived safety, arguing that current approaches may miss critical socio-environmental dynamics.

(Crime Prevention and Community Safety: An International Journal, Volume 5, Issue 2, 2003, pp. 7–24)