Attractive object

Attractive object

An attractive object is an urban object with a high appeal to potential criminals.

Identification of attractive objects

An attractive object is characterised by the fact that it has perceived qualities that match the motives of potential perpetrators. This means that the actual characteristics of an object (for example, are there really objects of value inside the building?) are less relevant than the perceived characteristics (do potential perpetrators think that there are objects of value inside the building?).

The identification of attractive objects can be done by checking the characteristics that match the motives of potential perpetrators with the perceived characteristics of the urban object. As there are various kinds of motives, this should be done for all motives in the security issues that concern objects.

Gain of wealth

This concerns all security issues of thieves against objects:

• get in and hide
• breaking and entering
• ram-raiding
• car theft

Attractive objects for the motive gain of wealth can be identified by checking:

• are valuable goods present or do they appear to be present? Examples are objects that have a exceptionally high level of visible protection measures ('where there's smoke, there's fire'), a visible flow of valuables, a high external stature, outside markings that indicate the presence of valuables (such as the word 'bank' on the facade), are valuable goods visible from the outside or can their presence be deducted?

Amusement and compulsion

This concerns the security issues of vandals:

• destruction of property
• grafitti
• arsony

Attractive objects for the motive of amusement or compulsion can be identified by checking:

• are there elements of the object that are traditionally highly subject to destruction? Examples are bus shelters, advertising columns, fragile elements, etcetera.
• are there elements that feature smooth, accessible and preferably large and highly visible surfaces? Examples are blank walls, sides of concrete park benches or landscaping features, sides and undersides of bridges and tunnels.

There are no known reliable indicators that predict the attractiveness of objects for arsony.

Hate and protest

This concerns destruction of property by fanatics and protesters.

Attractive objects for the motive of hate and protest can be identified by checking:

• Does damaging the object attract a lot of attention?
• Does damaging the object do harm to a person or organisation that is perceived as opposing the fanatics' ideals?

MAP

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