Physical space characteristics and official statistics of crime in the historic centre of Porto, Portugal: the crucial role played by crime prevention through environmental design

Understanding the relationship between physical spaces and crime in the Historic Centre of Porto (HCP), Portugal, is crucial, considering the relevance of this area to the city. This study analyses HCP’s physical space characteristics and its official statistics of crime, identifying the physical space facilitating crime. A mixed methodology comprising exploratory and descriptive design was used. The sample consisted of 410 observation records (2019–2020), and 15,853 official records of criminal occurrences reported to the Public Security Police (PSP) (2015–2019) in charge of safety in this area. Findings suggest that physical space facilitating crime include reduced visibility and night lighting, narrow streets, tunnels, dead end streets, abandoned places and houses allowing hiding, and areas without formal/informal surveillance. The PSP records show that property crime was the most prevalent in all the six HCP parishes. It is absolutely urgent to reform the spaces in the HCP, to prevent crime. Local entities can implement Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) strategies to make the HCP safer for all.