Trees in Cities

This extract was taken from The Daily Telepgraph on Wednesday 3rd November.

Streets with tall trees have lower crime rates, while shrubs and bushes increase offending because they give thieves places to hide, experts have found.

An environmental study looked at different urban areas of the same city to establish whether what was planted outside the front of homes made a difference to crime rates.

Streets with big trees had fewer offences involving property, such as break-ins and vandalism, as well as those involved in violence, like muggings and assault. The researchers studied crime across the US city of Portland in Oregon.

They believe large trees suggest and area is well looked after with a strong community spirit, so residents may be more likely to report suspicious behabiour.  such a street could also be more likely to have a neighbourhood watch scheme.

The US Forest Service found that areas with fewer trees suffered more crime, according to the study published in Environment and Behaviour.