HOUSEBREAKING AND THEFTS IN PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATES: A STUDY OF CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS

Abstract

The security of buildings can be influenced by aspects of building designs and urban planning. The effect of physical design on the criminal vulnerability of its residents is one aspect of a complex whole. Theories given for security design have tended to agree on the concept of territoriality and the need for situational crime prevention. Crime prevention philosophy suggests that the housebreaking and thefts and many other property related crimes such robbery, snatch theft, motor vehicle thefts and others could be prevented by appropriate attention at design and planning stage. In Singapore, the new town concept with its accompanying neighbourhoods is fast changing the physical fabric. In this paper, the author will find out what from housebreaking inmates the environmental and physical designs in housing estates to commit housebreaking and thefts. In addition, field observations of the affected neighborhoods attempt to assess in a qualitative way (as it is only possible) the environmental and physical designs factors. Through a two-prong approach, it is hoped that a list of factors which appear to have a role to play in deterring such crimes will be established.