What is the purpose of placing physical barriers in crime prevention?

The purpose of placing physical barriers in crime prevention is primarily to hinder access to crime opportunities. By implementing barriers such as fences, locked gates, and security doors, law enforcement and community planners create obstacles that make it more difficult for potential offenders to enter an area where they might commit a crime. This approach is grounded in the principles of situational crime prevention, which focuses on making it harder for crime to occur in the first place.

Barrier strategies can significantly reduce the risk of crime by controlling the entry points to properties and public spaces, effectively discouraging unauthorized access and making it less convenient for criminals to operate. This proactive method aims to minimize opportunities for theft, vandalism, or other criminal activities by altering the environment in ways that break the routine patterns that offenders might exploit.

While increasing surveillance, confusing offenders, and providing safe spaces for victims have their own merits in crime prevention strategies, the primary function of physical barriers is to directly limit access to areas that may be vulnerable to criminal behavior.