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Biography
Prof. Rachel Armitage is a Professor of Criminology within the School of Human and Health Sciences at the University of Huddersfield. She founded the highly successful multi-disciplinary institute - The Secure Societies Institute (SSI), which she directed between 2014 and 2018. Prof. Armitage’s research focuses upon the role of design (place, space, products and systems) in influencing both anti-social and pro-social behaviour. She has conducted research on the subject of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) for over 20 years - evaluating the effectiveness of the Secured by Design (SBD) award scheme, investigating the links between housing design and crime risk, exploring the tensions and synergies between security and sustainability and studying international approaches to preventing crime through design. Her work has been referenced in local, national and international planning policy and guidance, and she aims to ensure that consideration for crime prevention is on the agenda of all agencies involved in planning and developing the built environment. More recently, she has conducted several projects exploring the role of design in counterterrorism at critical infrastructure sites, in particular, multi-modal passenger terminals.
Rachel’s research on housing design has also focused upon the role of housing in the prevention of domestic abuse (specifically the Sanctuary scheme), and the impact of housing on mental and physical health.
As well as her focus upon crime prevention within the built environment, Rachel works closely with many agencies to explore the impact of secondary victimisation of child sexual abuse – particularly IIOC (Indecent Images of Children). Rachel is a trustee of the Marie Collins Foundation and is a founding member of the Indirect Victims of Indecent Images of Children Investigations (IVIIC) National Strategic Group. She is working closely with key agencies to explore policy and practice responses to non-offending partners (NOPs) and children of IIOC offenders and to improve agency responses and provision of support.
Rachel has published extensively on the subject of designing out crime, including a sole authored book: Crime Prevention through Housing Design (2013) published by Palgrave Macmillan, and edited collections: Rebuilding Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (2019) published by Routledge, and Retail Crime – International Evidence and Prevention (2018) published by Palgrave Macmillan. She is on the Editorial Board of several journals including: Security Journal (Book Reviews Editor), the European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, Crime Prevention and Community Safety and Frontiers in Psychology, Forensic and Legal Psychology.
Rachel is an invited member of the Home Office Safer Streets Committee; the Home Office National Burglary Taskforce; the Home Office Vehicle Crime Taskforce; the China Safe Cities Advisory Group, and the ActEarly City Collaboratory project (led by Bradford Institute for Health Research) to develop innovative approaches to the prevention of ill health. Rachel is a trustee for the Marie Collins Foundation – working to reduce the impact of child sexual abuse and exploitation experienced via the internet.
Research Expertise and Interests
- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED).
- The role of design (place, space, products, systems) in influencing anti-social and pro-social behaviour.
- The public engagement video Designing out Crime: Building Safer Communities, on the subject of designing out crime, demonstrates the concepts and also the effectiveness of this crime reduction measure.
- The role of housing in reducing domestic abuse - specifically the Sanctuary scheme.
- Healthy housing.
- Secondary victimisation of child sexual abuse offending.
- Policy and practice responses to IIOC.
Research Degree Supervision
Click Here to see all postgraduate research opportunities with Professor Rachel Armitage
Research Expertise and Interests
- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)
- Designing out Crime and anti-social behaviour
- Designing in pro-social behaviour and wellbeing
- The role of design in counter-terrorism
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Network
Projects
- 1 Finished
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Systematic review of the effectiveness of Secured by Design as a form of crime reduction
Armitage, R. & Sidebottom, A.
1/10/15 → 30/04/16
Project: Research
Research output
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An Independent Review of the Managed Approach to onstreet sex working in Leeds 2014-2020
Roach, J., Wood, K., Percy-Smith, B., Cartwright, A., Rogerson, M. & Armitage, R., 1 Jun 2020, University of Huddersfield. 70 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
Open Access -
Implementing and sustaining problem-oriented policing: A guide
Sidebottom, A., Kirby, S., Tilley, N., Armitage, R., Ashby, M., Bullock, K. & Laycock, G., 8 Apr 2020, Problem Solving and Demand Reduction Programme. 26 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open Access -
Lockdown. Rundown. Breakdown. The COVID-19 lockdown and the impact of poor-quality housing on occupants in the North of England
Brown, P., Newton, D., Armitage, R. & Monchuk, L., 21 Oct 2020, Northern Housing Consortium. 64 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
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Problem-Oriented Policing in England and Wales 2019
Sidebottom, A., Bullock, K., Armitage, R., Ashby, M., Clemmow, C., Kirby, S., Laycock, G. & Tilley, N., 1 Mar 2020, Problem Solving and Demand Reduction Programme. 81 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open Access -
Successful police problem-solving: A practice guide
Sidebottom, A., Bullock, K., Ashby, M., Kirby, S., Armitage, R., Laycock, G. & Tilley, N., 8 Apr 2020, Problem Solving and Demand Reduction Programme. 30 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Open Access
Activities
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WYP Designing Out Crime Seminar
Leanne Monchuk (Organiser) & Rachel Armitage (Organiser)
29 Oct 2019Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organising a conference, workshop, ...
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Marie Collins Foundation (External organisation)
Rachel Armitage (Chair)
5 May 2019Activity: Membership types › Membership of board
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European Commission (External organisation)
Rachel Armitage (Chair)
18 Apr 2019Activity: Membership types › Membership of board
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Home Office (External organisation)
Rachel Armitage (Chair)
18 Mar 2019Activity: Membership types › Membership of board
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Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice (Journal)
Rachel Armitage (Editor)
1 Mar 2019Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial work
Press / Media
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New Research Shows that a 'Pro-Social' Design of Buildings and Community Space would Reduce Burglary
26/07/18 → 31/07/18
3 items of Media coverage
Press/Media: Expert Comment
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Burglars' Tricks of the Trade Lead to New Crime Prevention Measures
1/06/17
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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West Yorkshire Police Team Up With Students To Combat Doorstep Crime
1/05/17
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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