Measure type: Target hardening

Target hardening is the measure of strengthening the security by increasing the required effort to commit crimes to or at an object.

Description

This situational crime prevention approach involves the use of devices or materials designed to obstruct the vandal by physical barriers:

1. Toughened glass (acrylic, polycarbon, etc.)
2. Latticework or screens to cover windows
3. Fire-retardant paint
4. High-impact plastic or steel fixtures
5. Hardened rubber or plastic swing seats
6. Concrete or steel picnic tables, benches, bleachers
7. Trash receptacles bolted to concrete bases
8. Rough-play-tolerant adventure playgrounds
9. Original planting of large-diameter trees
10. Slash-proof transit vehicle seats
11. Steel-framed bus seats
12. Anti-graffiti repellent spray on bus seats
13. Tamper-proof sign hardware and fasteners
14. Door anchor hinges with non-removable pins

Effectiveness

Economic effectiveness

Target hardening lowers the costs of security threats, but also requires time and money by private agents, companies/developers and the public authorities, exacting economic costs. Together the benefits and costs are referred to as economic impact of security measures. The costs of surveillance measures contain the relatively straightforward direct expenditures on capital equipment and operational costs (both temporary and permanent), and in addition generate various types of secondary effects. Whether the costs are making sense from an economic point of view, depends on many factors, and can be answered by two distinct sets of questions:

1. Are the envisioned target hardening measures cost effective from a socio-economic point of view, or are there better alternatives?
2. Which specific agents (individuals, companies, sectors, authorities) are affected by the target hardening measures, and to which extend? How do the envisioned measures adjust the behaviour of these agents, and of course the behaviour of criminals/terrorists?

Economic tools can help the decision makers to answer these questions and to prevent wasteful expenditures on security (of course in collaboration with insights from criminology, sociology, etc.). A good example of efficient target hardening is sustainable design since it combines energy efficiency with security. Measures like closed roller shutters in shopping streets are classical examples of measures that do not create a welcome environment, creating indirect economic effects as a result of a reduction of the perceived security and quality of the environment.