Low Cost Interventions
6. Micro-landscaping
Micro-landscaping focuses on small but strategic changes to the natural environment. Strategic placement of low hedges and trimmed trees for example improves visibility, turning civilians into extra eyes, reducing opportunities for criminal behaviour.
This solution reduces opportunities for hiding, surprise approaches, anti-social congregation. It also increases perceived safety, territorial reinforcement, and legitimate usage of space.
Vegetation clearance: £550-£900
Removal of shrubs and stumps: £200-£350
Sightline restoration: £300-£600
Low-level defensive planting (thorny shrubs, low hedging): £300-£600
Planters (access control, guardianship cues): £250-£500
Green waste disposal: £150-£300
Community co-design sessions: £120-£250
Total: £1,870-£3,500
Scoping & assessment: 1-2 weeks
Community & partner engagement: 1-2 weeks
Works & installation: 1-2 weeks
Baseline metrics captured: 1 weeks
Total: 4-7 weeks + Monitoring
Vegetation maintenance, planter refreshing/replanting, waste removal, CPTED compliance check.
Annual Maintenance Cost: £1,170-£2,050
Effectiveness
A useful solution, improving visibility, with maintenance signalling ownership and guardianship - deterring crime.
A 2025 study showed deficiencies in natural surveillance significantly increases fear of crime, while improved natural surveillance reduces it. Landscaping also contributes to natural surveillance, natural access control, and territorial reinforcement