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This Environmental Visual Audit (EVA) has been conducted in response to a high volume of complaints from local residents regarding groups of youths congregating in large numbers, drinking alcohol, smoking cannabis, engaging in sexual activity, riding dangerously on motor bikes and pedal cycles, littering, intimidating residents and generally engaging in anti-social behaviour. The majority of this behaviour takes place between Jarman and Colveson House although the youths will also congregate in stairwells, under crofts and in the children’s play area. The majority of this behaviour takes place after dark.

Acting Police Sergeant Mehmet Ulusoy, from Stepney Green & St Dunstan’s Safer Neighbourhood Team confirmed that his team regularly patrol this area. In addition to these regular patrols, a proactive quick response initiative has also been introduced across the Borough to ensure that allegations of anti-social behaviour are dealt with as quickly as possible. Despite the improved police response times, the youths are able to quickly disperse and avoid identification or apprehension because of the numerous exits within the estate. The majority of the exits and pathways are poorly lit and concealed by significantly overgrown shrubbery, which ultimately will prevent natural surveillance opportunities (for police and local residents) and thereby prevent identification, apprehension and prosecution opportunities.

Between April and September 2016 there were 132 relevant reported offences in the immediate local vicinity (As shown in Fig.1 & Fig. 2 below). Statistics obtained from police.uk. Nearly half of the offences in this locality relate to anti-social behaviour, which is higher than the Borough average in which nearly a third of all crimes reported are for anti-social behaviour activities.

Fig.1 Fig. 2

|Anti-Social Behaviour |86 |

|Violent/Sexual Offences |27 |

|Burglary |8 |

|Drugs |4 |

|Criminal Damage/Arson |3 |

|Bike Thefts |2 |

|Robbery |1 |

|Public Order |1 |

|Total | 132 |

In order to reduce the anti-social behaviour and associated crimes in this area, and increase the likelihood of apprehending offenders, we recommend restricting unauthorised vehicular access to the car parks, installing cycle mitigation gates, improving the natural surveillance visibility throughout the estate, redeveloping the child’s play area and introducing temporary formal CCTV surveillance.

Implementing these recommendations would assist in providing a safe and accessible environment where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion.

Sidney North Estate is boarded by Lindley Street to the North, Stepney Way to the South, Jubilee Street to the East and Sidney Street to the West. The site comprises of five housing blocks, four car parks, one children’s play area and one disused library, as shown in Fig. 3.

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Fig. 3

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Stepney Way Entrance

Observations

The car park in front of Jarman and Wingrad House, leading onto Jubilee Street (As shown in Fig. 4) regularly attracts groups of youths who engage in a range of anti-social behaviour and associated crimes. The majority of this behaviour takes place during the hours of darkness.

At present the natural surveillance opportunities from Jarman and Wingrad House are severely restricted due to the extensive scaffolding and protective netting sheets covering the external façade of the building.

Police state that when attempting to approach and speak to the youths congregating in this car-park, they quickly disperse (on foot and on cycles) into the centre of the estate, via the under croft between Jarman House and Wingrad House (As shown in Fig. 5).

Fig. 4 Fig. 5 [pic] [pic]

Recommendations

Consideration should be given to installing resident controlled vehicle access to the car park area (As shown in Fig. 4). This would deter and prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering and loitering in the resident’s car parking area.

The scaffolding and protective netting covering the housing blocks should be removed as soon as possible after the works have finished. Priority should be given to the front of Jarman and Wingrad houses in order to restore the natural surveillance opportunities over the car-park.

Consideration should be given to installing a temporary CCTV camera to cover the car park area (As shown in Fig.4). CCTV will monitor and deter anti-social behaviour and criminal activity and compensate for the current lack of natural surveillance currently available.

Consideration should be given to installing railings and a self-closing pedestrian gate (that opens inwards towards Jubilee Street) at the exit of the under croft located between Jarman and Wingrad House (As shown in Fig. 5). This barrier would assist in reducing the speed of the dispersing youths and increase the likelihood of identification, apprehension and prosecution. It would also reduce the likelihood of personal injury to legitimate residents and pedestrians who also use this route.

N.B - A further visit was conducted 3 weeks after the initial visit and it should be noted that the scaffolding and netting have now been removed.

Stepney Way Entrance Observations

The Stepney Way entrance to the estate (As shown in Fig. 3 above and Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 below) also facilitates free flowing unrestricted entry and exit around the estate. The youths regularly use this entrance to disperse at speed from police on foot or on cycles.

Fig. 6 Fig. 7

[pic] [pic]

Recommendations

Consideration should be given to installing permeable railings and a self-closing pedestrian gate (opening inwards towards Lindley Street) at the entrance to the estate (as shown above in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). Two possible examples are shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 below.

An alternative consideration, although significantly less effective, could be to install vehicle mitigation plant boxes at the entrance, similar to those currently located on the pavement just outside the entrance (As shown below in Fig. 10). As stated previously, these barriers would assist in reducing the speed of the dispersing youths and increase the likelihood of identification, apprehension and prosecution, whilst also reducing the likelihood of personal injury to legitimate residents and pedestrians who use this route.

Fig. 8 Fig. 9 Fig. 10

[pic] [pic] [pic]

Children’s Play Area Observations

The children’s play area is located between Cloverson House and Wexford House. Residents have reported a range of anti-social behaviour taking place inside this area such as drinking alcohol, taking drugs and engaging in unlawful sexual activity.

The boundary perimeter comprises of a low level solid brick wall, topped with permeable metal hoop railings (As shown in Fig. 11 below). The play area is easily accessible due to the half brick; half railings design, which provides the perfect platform on which to climb up and over the railings. The smooth topped hoop design of the railings is also ineffectual at deterring unlawful entry.

The play area has a single entrance point, at the North of the play area, via a set of double gates. The design of the gates match the perimeter railings, but in addition to the previously mentioned disadvantages in deterring unlawful entry, they also have a parallel metal bar running across the width of the gates that provides another climbing platform to gain unlawful entry. See Fig. 12 as shown below.

One of the most significant disadvantages in restricting appropriate access and preventing unlawful activity taking place in the play area, is the fact that the gates are never locked.

Fig. 11 Fig. 12 [pic] [pic]

Recommendations

Consideration should be given to completely replacing the current boundary perimeter. We would recommend a non-climbable perimeter with clear sight lines, such as 3-5-8 Weldmesh, incorporating blunt topped unfinished edges and reaching an overall height of 2.1m.

It is advisable that the entrance gates are of a similar non-climbable structure that incorporates a Sold Secure locking system locking system.

Consideration should be given to ensuring that the play area is only accessible during specified hours, appropriate to the age of the children using the play area. The opening hours should also be clearly displayed on a sign that is positioned next to the entrance.

Please see the ‘Design and Layout’ section on page 10 for more detailed recommendations regarding a complete redesign of this particular area.

Landscaping Observations

The natural surveillance opportunities at various locations across the estate are severely compromised due to bushes and shrubs being considerably overgrown. Such dense coverage impedes identification opportunities and provides concealed locations for youths to engage in criminal activity and store prohibited items or weapons. The foliage was particularly dense and obstructive to the West of Cloverson House (as shown in Fig.13) and to the East of Wexford House (as shown in Fig.14).

Fig. 13 Fig. 14

[pic] [pic]

The majority of the car park areas across the estate also lack natural surveillance opportunities due to dense overgrown foliage. Two such examples is the foliage located around the edges of Car Park A (As shown in Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 above) and Car Park B (As shown in Fig. 15 and Fig. 16). See Fig.3 in the executive summary for their specific location within the estate.

Fig. 15 Fig. 16

[pic] [pic]

Landscaping Observations

Natural surveillance into the children’s play area is severely restricted. The perimeter boundary comprises of a low level solid brick wall, topped with permeable metal hoop railings, that is reinforced with tall, dense foliage that on occasions protrudes above and through the railings. The full extent of the lack of natural surveillance opportunities is demonstrated in Fig. 13 below, the view from Stepney Way entrance.

The disadvantages of restricted natural surveillance and a lack of clear sight lines into the play ground were evident across the estate and demonstrated in the ‘Management and Maintenance’ section on page 11.

Fig. 17

[pic]

Recommendations

Consideration should be given to hard pruning all of the foliage across the estate. Bushes and shrubs should be pruned to a maximum height of 1 metre and trees should have a 2 metre clearance of branches from the ground to the bottom of the canopy. Improved natural surveillance and clear sight lines could improve the quality of information that is reported to police and lead to greater detection and criminal prosecutions.

Consideration should be given to installing a temporary CCTV camera to cover the car-park areas and the children’s play area. CCTV will monitor and deter anti-social behaviour and criminal activity and compensate for the current lack of natural surveillance currently available.

As stated in the ‘Access and Permeability’ section above, consideration should be given to completely replacing the boundary perimeter currently surrounding the children’s play area. Hard pruning the internal landscaping will also assist in providing clear sight lines into the play area.

N.B - A further visit was conducted 3 weeks after the initial visit and although the dense overgrown foliage had been cut back, it was still significantly taller than the maximum 1 metre height limit that we would recommend and has therefore only made a slight improvement to the natural surveillance opportunities,

Lighting Observations

As the majority of the reported anti-social behaviour and criminal activity takes place after dark, an additional assessment was undertaken during the hours of darkness.

The lighting levels across the estate were inconsistent and lacked uniformity due to the presence of low sodium lights, which tend to create more shadows than they illuminate. Their inefficiency was particularly evident in the lack of illumination in the car park located next to the disused Public Library (As shown in Fig. 21 and Fig. 22 below) and when positioned on the external walls of various housing blocks.

The image shown in Fig. 23 was taken looking towards Cloverson House from the children’s play area. Although the image is slightly distorted due to the quality of the camera taking the photo, it still provides a good representation of the limited illumination provided by low sodium lighting.

Fig. 21 Fig. 22

[pic] [pic]

Fig. 23

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Lighting Observations

The instillation of white ambient lighting lamp posts were identified at various points across the estate. Unfortunately the effectiveness of some of the lamp posts is negated because they are positioned next to trees, resulting in light obstruction and the creation of dense shadows. Once such example is the lamp post positioned at the South East corner of the estate that lights a pathway running behind Wingrad House and Armsby House (As shown in Fig 24 and Fig. 25 below)

Fig. 24 Fig. 25

[pic] [pic]

Recommendations

Consideration should be given to replacing all existing low sodium lighting with white ambient lighting. White ambient lighting has a higher quality of colour rendition, which will aid the identification and apprehension of suspects. If located and positioned appropriately it will also eradicate the existing shadows created by the currently installed low sodium lighting.

In addition to the landscaping recommendations made on page 7, consideration should also be given to hard pruning all trees that are adjacent to lamp posts to reduce the overall canopy and produce a closer cropped shape. If after pruning the lighting is still obstructed and creating shadows, consideration should be given to removing the tree or relocating the lamp post.

Children’s Play Area Observations

As stated in the previous two sections (‘Accessibility and Permeability’ and ‘Natural and Informal Surveillance’), the current design of the perimeter fence is easily accessible and the landscaping is prohibitive from a surveillance perspective.

There are two, relatively narrow, curved pathways running either side of the playground (As shown in Fig. 26 below), which prevent clear straight sightlines from one end of the path to the other. The current curved design, in conjunction with the poorly lit shaded areas created by the overhanging trees, could provide potential hiding places in which youths loiter, commit crime and create an environment where the fear of crime undermines the quality of life of the residents who may have to walk past this play area.

Fig. 26

[pic]

Recommendations

Consideration should be given to completely re-designing the play area in order to remove one of the two existing pathways and replace them with a single wide, straight pathway that is well lit, devoid of hiding places, well overlooked by surrounding residential blocks and well maintained so as to ensure natural surveillance along the path and its borders.

As stated previously, we also recommend that consideration is given to completely replacing the perimeter fence with a non-climbable perimeter that enables clear sight lines, incorporates blunt topped unfinished edges and reaches an overall height of 2.1m. The entrance gates should be of a similar style and incorporate a Sold Secure locking system and arrangements should be made to ensure that the play area is only accessible during specified hours.

Observations

Numerous hazardous items were identified at various locations across the estate. Pieces of broken glass were identified in the children’s play area (As shown in Fig. 27), items relating to criminal damage and anti-social behaviour activity were found on a tree trunk located between the play area and Car Park A (As shown in Fig. 29) and discarded drugs paraphernalia (In the form of small plastic bags and discarded tinfoil as shown in Fig. 20) were located beside the Jarman House and Wingrad House under croft area.

We assessed the internal areas of various blocks that had reported drug dealing within the stair wells. Overall the stairwells and corridors appeared to be well kept and clean. The only exception was an electric fuse cabinet located at the top of the stairs on the first floor of Cloverson House, which appeared to control the door entry systems. In addition to being a Health and Safety risk, this unlocked cabinet could potentially be used to hide and store drugs, weapons or other items relating to criminal activity.

Fig. 27 Fig. 28

[pic] [pic]

Fig. 29 Fig. 30

[pic] [pic]

Recommendations

Good maintenance is a key recommendation of the ‘Broken Window Theory’ that states that a clean well maintained environment promotes an atmosphere of order and lawfulness, which discourages crime and anti-social behaviour and significantly reduces the fear of crime. Therefore consideration should be given to regular litter patrols, paying particular attention to the children’s play area, and the removal of discarded drugs paraphernalia that may present health and safety risks.

The door to the electric fuse cabinet should be repaired as soon as possible and all others checked.

In summary, consideration should be given to the following options in order to assist in providing a safe and accessible environment where crime and disorder, and the fear of crime, do not undermine quality of life or community cohesion :-

1. Consideration should be given to installing resident controlled vehicle access to the car park area to deter and prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering and loitering in the resident’s car parking area.

2. The scaffolding and protective netting covering the various housing blocks around the estate should be removed as soon as possible after the works have finished.

3. Consideration should be given to installing a temporary CCTV camera to cover the car park area (As shown in Fig.4). CCTV will monitor and deter anti-social behaviour and criminal activity and compensate for the current lack of natural surveillance currently available.

4. Consideration should be given to installing railings and a self-closing pedestrian gate (that opens inwards towards Jubilee Street) at the exit of the under croft located between Jarman and Wingrad House (As shown in Fig. 5). This would assist in reducing the speed of the dispersing youths; increase the likelihood of identification, apprehension and prosecution and reduce the likelihood of personal injury to legitimate residents and pedestrians who also use this route.

5. Consideration should be given to installing permeable railings and a self-closing pedestrian gate (opening inwards towards Lindley Street) at the entrance to the estate (As shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7). An alternative option could be to install vehicle mitigation plant boxes, similar to those currently located outside the entrance (As shown below in Fig. 10.

6. Consideration should be given to completely re-designing the play area in order to remove one of the two existing pathways and replace it with a single wide, straight pathway that is well lit, devoid of hiding places, well overlooked by surrounding residential blocks and well maintained so as to ensure natural surveillance along the path and its borders. This design should incorporate a non-climbable perimeter with clear sight lines, blunt topped unfinished edges and reaching an overall height of 2.1m. The entrance gates should be of a similar non-climbable structure that incorporates a Secured by Design standard locking system.

7. Consideration should be given to ensuring that the play area is only accessible during specified hours, appropriate to the age of the children using the play area. The opening hours should also be clearly displayed on a sign that is positioned next to the entrance.

8. Consideration should be given to hard pruning all of the foliage across the estate. Bushes and shrubs should be pruned to a maximum height of 1 metre; trees should have a 2 metre clearance of branches from the ground to the bottom of the canopy. Improved natural surveillance and clear sight lines could improve the quality of information that is reported to police and lead to greater detection and criminal prosecutions.

9. Consideration should also be given to hard pruning all trees that are adjacent to lamp posts to reduce the overall canopy and produce a closer cropped shape. If after pruning the lighting is still obstructed and creating shadows, consideration should be given to removing the tree or relocating the lamp post

10. Consideration should be given to installing a temporary CCTV camera to cover the car-park areas and the children’s play area. CCTV will monitor and deter anti-social behaviour and criminal activity and compensate for the current lack of natural surveillance currently available.

11. Consideration should be given to replacing all existing sodium lighting with white ambient lighting. White ambient lighting has a higher quality of colour rendition, which will aid the identification and apprehension of suspects. If located and positioned appropriately it will also eradicate the existing shadows created by the currently installed low sodium lighting.

12. The door to the electric fuse cabinet should be repaired as soon as possible and all others checked.

13. Regular litter patrols should be conducted around the estate to remove dangerous items and discarded drugs paraphernalia that may present health and safety risks. Particular attention should be paid to the children’s play area. This quickly implemented and cost effective measure for the Local Authority supports the ‘Broken Window Theory and should not be underestimated in its effectiveness to reduce the fear of crime for the local residents.

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MPS Crime Prevention

Environmental Visual Audit

Sidney North Estate

Prepared by the Designing Out Crime Group

30th November 2016 - NE 3209

Executive Summary Page 1 - 2

Accessibility and permeability Page 3 - 5

Natural and formal surveillance Page 6 - 9

Design and layout Page 10

Management and maintenance Page 11

Recommendations Page 12 - 13

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Cloverson House

Disused Library

Wexford House House

Children’sPlay Area

Wingrad House

Jarman House

Armsby House

Car Park B

Car Park A

Page 3

Page 4

Page 2

Page 1

Page 5

Page 6

Page 7

Page 8

Page 9

Page 10

Page 11

Page 12

Page 13

Page 11

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In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

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