Crime Prevention Bureau (CPB) hosted a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Workshop from April 15 to 19, with Mr Rick Draper from Australia acting as facilitator. This followed the success of a similar event held in 2009.

 

Mr Draper is a renowned professional security and crime prevention consultant. He explained various CPTED principles with practical examples of their application. In many states in Australia, it is a requirement for new projects to have CPTED principles incorporated at the design stage, and Mr Draper often advises the authorities on the strategies to limit criminals' opportunities.

 

The 18 workshop participants came from Crime Wing or Regional Crime Prevention Offices (RCPO), whose jobs involve advising stakeholders on the CPTED implications of both existing and new facilities.

 

As well as finding the workshop useful, the participants enjoyed learning many real life examples, which reflect the CPTED principles at work. Some also found learning to read architectural drawings an "added bonus".

 

Though most participants might find the material taught new, CPB Superintendent Kwok Yik-man pointed out that CPTED principles had been applied in Hong Kong for many years under the auspices of CPB.  While there might not be a need in Hong Kong to apply all such principles, many of the basic concepts, such as access control, natural surveillance and target hardening, had already been adopted by both Government architects and those in the private sector, he said. 

 

SP Kwok noted that CPTED principles would help officers understand why crimes occur in some places and not others.  He added that this was one of the reasons for CPB to bring such training to crime prevention officers, including those in RCPO, who may assist in making frontline officers more aware of CPTED.

 

The workshop concluded with Acting Chief Superintendent (Crime Support) Pang Mo-yin congratulating the trainees and presenting them with certificates of attendance.