Fact sheet: improving lighting to prevent crime

The Victorian Government’s goal is to prevent crime and keep communities safe by addressing the root causes of offending.

A joined-up approach to support people and communities in need

Collaboration across government, key organisations and with communities is the best way to provide individuals with the right supports to address the risk factors for offending and strengthen social recovery outcomes.

Working with the community across three action areas

The Strategy will support effective, collaborative efforts to improve outcomes for individuals and communities in Victoria across three interconnected action areas.

Measuring the impact of our efforts to prevent crime

We will monitor and evaluate our progress in addressing risk factors for offending across the Victorian Government.

Action Area 1: Empower and invest in communities to implement local solutions

Empower and invest in communities to implement local solutions.

Action Area 2: Enhance and connect support for people in need

Enhance and connect support for people and communities in need.

Action Area 3: Evidence and impact for effective and innovative approaches

Evidence and impact for effective and innovative approaches.

How the Strategy was developed

The Crime Prevention Strategy has been developed through a whole-of-community and government effort.

Improved lighting can be an effective crime prevention tool because:

it can improve surveillance and increase the risk of offenders being detected
people feel safer in well illuminated areas, increasing activity, which can further improve surveillance and deter crime.

However, it is important to understand that in some situations lighting may be counterproductive. For example:

lighting an asset in an unused or isolated area without passing surveillance may make it easier for crimes to be committed
lighting an area not intended for night-time use may give users a false sense of security.

Key questions

Before choosing lighting as your crime prevention solution, an overall security assessment is recommended. The following questions should be an initial prompt:

What is the problem you are trying to address?
When is the problem occurring? Is there any pattern? What do your local police say?
Is the area intended for night-time use?
Who will benefit from the light? Will it support surveillance or help an offender?
Is there any other way the problem could be tackled?
Is improved lighting alone likely to address the problem?

Other important considerations

There are numerous Australian standards related to lighting and only registered electrical contractors should be engaged for any type of electrical work.
Install lighting preferably at a height that prevents vandalism and consider protective caging.
Use products made from heavy-duty, smash-resistant material like polycarbonate.
White light is generally regarded as the most effective colour for facial recognition.
Choosing energy efficient lighting is environmentally sustainable and helps reduce energy costs.
Direct lighting downwards to illuminate immediate surrounds and minimise light pollution.
Avoid placing lighting in positions that may eventually be blocked by growing trees or plants.
Consult with neighbours and others likely to be impacted by your proposed lighting.
Installation of lighting poles may require council approval.

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