Safer Schools and Hospitals

A map of the site
A floor plan of the building

You will be using these maps to identify locations that are vulnerable on your site, so the level of detail you need depends upon the types of crime that your building faces. For example, in a hospital where most crime happens inside the building you might need a fairly detailed floorplan with some description of major furnishings. In a building where the majority of crimes take place on the grounds you would need a more detailed site map.

You may have copies of the floorplan in your record office, otherwise consult your architect.

For site maps the following sources may be useful:

• http://www.multimap.com/

• http://www2.getmapping.com/home.asp

• http://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/oswebsite/getamap/

Coloured pens and pencils For marking the locations and key issues.

A camera For taking photos for reference purposes

A legend of symbols

As you walk the site make notes on your plans to visualise how various conditions on your site relate. You can add symbols to your legend to show more issues which are appropriate to your site.

Starting at the main external entrance to the site, walk around the EXTERNAL PERIMETER, identifying the issues raised above.

Some specific issues to look out for on the boundary include:

• Any routes that lead to the site or close to the site such as any alleyways or footpaths

• The land uses that are close by, including any transport facilities (means by which people can access the site), any attractors such as shops or off-licences as well as land uses such as residential units.

• Any incidences of graffiti, litter, crimes or antisocial behaviour surrounding the site.

Starting again at the main external entrance to the site, walk around the INTERNAL PERIMETER of the site identifying the issues raised above.

This should include identification of issues including:

• Identify the locations and types of fences and any breaks in the fence or other vulnerable locations on the site again using the key provided.

• Identify any locations where illegitimate users have accessed the site in the past or areas that are known to be vulnerable.

• Any incidences of graffiti, litter, crimes or antisocial behaviour on the site boundary.

• Identify for all formal access points, the field of view – can staff members oversee the access point and are there any blockages to view?

Finally, you will need to survey the grounds themselves and the outside of the buildings on the site to identify the opportunity to survey spaces as well as the control of movement around the site and into the buildings themselves.

This should identify issues including:

• The level of surveillance over grounds - use a different colour code for: staff surveillance; surveillance from outside the site; and areas where surveillance is restricted.

• Any buildings, structures or landscaping that will block views

• The location of bins and furniture on the site – are they fixed or moveable? Could someone use these to climb onto the building or easily set fire to them?

• All building entrances with information on when they are open and when they are in use.

• The type of access control method used on the doors (yale locks, bolts, card access etc.)

• The locations of windows on the ground floor – and the types of locks present

• Identify any locations where illegitimate users have accessed the building or areas within the site where they were known to have been. Additionally, identify any areas that are known to be trouble spots (i.e. where pupils have been caught smoking or vandalising property in the past)

• Any incidences of property damage, graffiti, litter, crimes or antisocial behaviour within the site or onto the buildings.

The information you have gathered during these stages can then be combined into a single map to highlight where problems are concentrated. The output of the site survey of Case Study A is shown here with all the information overlaid on a single map. Some of the main issues around the site are outlined below.

The main entrance gate to the school is not aligned with the entrance. This means that visitors to the school can stray into the grounds without having seen the reception, and those entering the premises are not be seen by staff.

Litter is strewn on the footpath past the playing fields. This is a sign of anti-social behaviour.

There are many breaks in the fence beside the playing fields, allowing both pupils and other intruders out of school hours informal access to the site.

There are several areas with very restricted visibility around the site

Mark on your map treatment/teaching rooms, and staff bases. You should also identify locations of any goods or equipment that may be attractive to vandalism or theft such as vending machines, computers, staff lockers etc.

Identify all the access control measures in place within the building and identify at what time these are in place and the type of measure in place (card access, key access etc.)

Identify where doors are propped open – where will access control not work?

Enter the building from the main entrance – identify the routes available to you and identify what wayfinding support is provided – can you see a reception desk & staff, is there clear signage to tell you where to go?

Enter the building from the other entrances – again identify the routes that are available to you and identify what level of control is provided? Can you access the building freely? Is there any signage or wayfinding support provided? Can you see or access reception or other staff members easily? What other rooms can you access without being overseen by staff members?

Are there any locations where you see people getting lost or where they are in a place that they shouldn't be?

Mark on the map which circulation areas can be easily and regularly overseen from staff-manned locations such as the reception area. You should also identify:

• Incidents of vandalism, graffiti or litter.

• Areas where concern has been raised by staff members or other building users.

The information you have gathered during these stages can then be combined into a single map which will enable you to see where problems are likely to occur. The interior evaluation map of Case Study C is shown here with all the information overlaid on a single map. Some of the main issues are outlined below.

The main entrance is less visible than the paramedic entrance,
a situation which is not helped by the lack of clear signage.
Additionally the view to the main entrance is further blocked
if one or more ambulances stand in front of the paramedic entrance

The paramedic entrance is more clearly visible on approach to the hospital. With the lack of access control measures, there is heavy use of this entrance by staff and the public.

Staff surveillance: there are several important areas which cannot be overseen by staff which were highlighted by walking the building interior. These include the paramedic entrance, key clinical areas such as resus, public telephones and the vending machines.

There are also several important wayfinding points without signage which could result in visitors becoming disorientated and more anxious. There is no access control at the paramedic entrance resulting in staff and patients frequently entering this area and thus losing their way.