Accessibility of woodlands and natural spaces

 

Addressing crime and safety issues

Summary

In 2004 Forest Research organised a one-day seminar with backing from Lancashire Constabulary, CABE Space and English Nature. This event explored the accessibility of woodlands and natural spaces with particular reference to crime and safety issues. Seventy delegates attended the seminar and discussed a range of issues and described their experience and knowledge. There were a number of reasons that led to the development of this event:

• Increased focus on the accessibility of woodlands and natural spaces with various studies being undertaken to map available space
• Concerns about managing and dealing with anti-social behaviour to ensure that users are not deterred from enjoying the spaces available to them
• Worries that people’s perceptions of their own safety in woodlands is disproportionate to any actual risk
• Need to advise and help landowners who may be concerned about issues of liability when providing public access
• Need to ensure good design in woodlands and natural spaces to help reduce real and perceived dangers.

The event explored through presentations and workshop discussions the five themes outlined below.

Themes

Access and risk perception

In her ground-breaking research published by the Countryside Commission in 1995 (“Growing in Confidence”), Professor Jacqui Burgess demonstrated that perceptions of risk can have profound effects on woodland access. The work described how these effects were experienced differently by people from different ethnic backgrounds. This sense of risk is experienced acutely by women. As Professor Burgess has said while the actual risks, for example of attacks in woodlands, are small, “what is perceived to be real is real in its effects”. This perception impacts on people’s behaviour so that some women might only visit woodland when in the company of others.

Access and exclusionary behaviour

Dealing with anti-social behaviour or just behaviour that tends to exclude other users can be a major pre-occupation for managers. This might include rowdy young teenagers drinking or shouting abuse, rubbish dumping, graffiti, fly tipping or the use of car parking areas for anti-social behaviour. These types of behaviours can have a big impact on other users deterring them from visiting areas where they perceive there may be trouble.

Access and liability

For the forest owner, the implications of public access in terms of liability and risk can be a deterrent. A report on owners’ attitudes to woodland access carried out by the University of Brighton for Forestry Commission (England) in 2003 reported that the main problems experienced were illegal vehicular access (4x4) and dumping, litter and vandalism.  However the research found little evidence of serious incidents leading to insurance claims, with respect to land, animals or equipment. There may be a problem of owner’s perceptions of liability and risk, and therefore some scope to mitigate their fears through clear advice.

Crime reduction and the rehabilitation of offenders

Crime is also a direct concern for many forest managers, dealing with incidents such as arson, car break-ins and theft. Forest design can be used to reduce perceptions of risk, and also to reduce actual levels of crime. Some forest managers are involved with probation services and voluntary organisations in the rehabilitation of offenders, and experience shows that in some cases this can instil a positive attitude towards forests, so reducing levels of crime.

Location and design of accessible woodland

Lived in, well managed woodlands near to where people live can provide inclusive access and tend to attract less anti-social behaviour than unmanaged woodlands. Are design guidelines needed to optimise available space and create liveable and quality environments?

Funders and partners

This was a partnership event between Forest Research, Lancashire Constabulary, CABE Space and English Nature.

Forestry Commission policy

The Forestry Commission wishes to make woodlands accessible for all and to remove barriers to woodland access so that everyone can enjoy trees and woodlands.

Publication

Accessibility of woodlands and natural spaces
Addressing crime and safety issues. ^{(PDF - 1406K)}

Contact

Liz O’Brien
Social and Economic Research Group
Forest Research
Alice Holt Lodge
Farnham
Surrey GU10 4LH

Tel: 01420 22255
Fax: 01420 23653
Email: liz.obrien@forestry.gsi.gov.uk