SHOPPING CENTRE SAFETY AUDIT CHECKLIST

Designed by the Senior Safety Working Group of the Townsville Thuringowa Safe Communities Program

Safety Audits provide an opportunity for the community to have a say about what contributes to their
feelings of safety in their neighbourhoods, and thereby encourages better use of public space.
Safety Audit programs are designed for people who want to feel safer in their public space and who
are prepared to do something towards achieving it. Safety Audits are about improving the physical
environment in ways that will reduce the opportunities for crime and injury. Safety Audits are also
about making public places like parks, bus stops and streets, and semi public/private places like
shopping centres, safer for everyone.

This Shopping Centre Safety Audit aims to:

Identify possible crime sites in public space, as well as areas where injuries are likely to
occur;
Address crime-related and physical safety concerns by making recommendations to
appropriate authorities and owners of space directed at removing or reducing opportunities
for crime, and reducing and preventing injuries and;
Enable the community to monitor the implementation of recommendations made.

Note to Facilitator:
These audits should only be undertaken with supervision/guidance and the
permission of the shopping centre/public space ideally should be sought before
proceeding. A one-hour workshop/orientation, off-premises, with participants, is
recommended before an audit is conducted.
TIPS: It will be helpful to those conducting the survey if both external audit sections
are photocopied onto different colour paper to the internal sections.

Shopping Centre Safety Audit 1

SHOPPING CENTRE SAFETY

AUDIT CHECKLIST - DAY
NAME OF SHOPPING CENTRE:
_____________________________

2.5 If there are plants, bushes or trees that interfere with

lighting please specify where, if not tick No

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
2.6 If the loading area for delivery vans blocks views of
pedestrian and vehicular traffic please specify the
location, otherwise tick NO

SECTION AEXTERNAL
2OBSERVATIONS

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

3. SIGHTLINES
3.
SIGHTLINES

Please state your entry point:

_____________________________________________

1.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

ON ARRIVAL AT THE OUTSIDE AREA OF THE

SHOPPING CENTRE:
1.1 What is your reaction to the place? Do you feel safe
or unsafe in this area?

Safe

2.
2.

Unsafe

2.1 If the level of lighting good enough to let you identify a

face at a distance of 15 metres (50 ft) tick YES otherwise
please specify where

Y

If NO, Where ________________________

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
2.3 If there are lights out/not working please specify
where, otherwise tick NO

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
2.4 If you consider the street lighting in the area is
adequate tick YES otherwise specify where

Y

If NO, Where ________________________

_________________________________________
_________________________________________
Shopping Centre Safety Audit 2

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
3.2 As you walk through the car park and outside areas,
specify if there are places someone could be hiding
without you knowing it, otherwise tick NO

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

LIGHTING
LIGHTING

2.2 How even is the lighting? If there are pools of

light and darkness please specify where

3.1 If it is difficult to see whats ahead because of sharp

corners, walls, hills, fences, bushes or pillars, please
specify where otherwise tick NO

3.3 If there is a need in this place to have transparent

materials used around areas (e.g. using
lattice/Perspex for bus shelter instead of solid
material that cannot be seen through) specify where,
otherwise tick NO

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
3.4 If there is a need in this place to have corners of
buildings angled so its easier to see around them
specify where, otherwise tick NO

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
3.5 If there is a need in this area for security mirrors to let
you see around corners specify where, otherwise tick
NO

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
3.6 If there are steps which are easy to see and use
tick YES, otherwise specify where

Y

If NO, Where ________________________

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

4.

6.2 Does the LAND around the shopping centre seem

owned and cared for, or is it desolate, abandoned
and look like a place where unlawful activity might go
unnoticed?

ATMs (Automated Teller

Machines

Owned/Cared for
Desolate/Abandoned

4.1 Do you feel safe accessing the outside ATMs?

Y if
N specify location:

6.3

_______________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

Y
N If NO specify location:____________

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

4.2 If people can see over your shoulder when you use
the ATM, specify the location, otherwise tick NO

Y location:________________________
N

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

4.3 Screening of the ATM Is the ATM in an area where

there are lots of people so that you feel safe or is it
isolated?

Is there more than one way out of the area for a

person who feels threatened?

THE SHOPPING CENTRE PRECINCT:

6.4 If there is graffiti, litter or signs of vandalism which
make you feel unsafe, specify where or tick NO

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

Y in good public area

N Isolated (specify the location) ____________

6.5 Do the CAR PARK and PUBLIC TRANSPORT stop

areas around the shopping centre seem owned and
cared for, or are they desolate, abandoned and look
like a place where unlawful activity might go
unnoticed?

4.
FROM
BEING
SEEN
/ /
5. ISOLATION
ISOLATION
FROM
BEING
SEEN
HEARD
HEARD

Location: ____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

5.1 How close is the nearest telephone if you need to call

for help?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
5.2 Is there adequate signage which tells you where the
nearest telephone is?

Y
N

5.3 Do you know where to go to get help?

N
If Y where:________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

Owned/Cared for

Desolate/Abandoned

6.6 Is there more than one way out of the area

for a person who feels threatened?

Y
N If NO specify location:____________

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

7.
6.

MOVEMENT
MOVEMENT PREDICTABILITY
PREDICTABILITY

7.1(a)

Are all entrances and exits of corridors, tunnels,

walkways, stairs, lanes or paths etc clear of
obstruction?

5.4 If you screamed for help would you be heard by

another person (such as a security guard, parking lot
attendant, trolley boy etc)?

Y
N
7.1(b) If no, what and where, is the obstruction?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

5.
6.

7.2 If there are corners, recessed doors or bushes where

someone could hide and wait for you please specify
the location, otherwise tick NO

Y
N

GRAFFITI,
VANDALISM and
and
GRAFFITI VANDALISM
AREAS
AREAS OF
OF NEGLECT
NEGLECT

NEARBY LAND USES:

6.1 If there is graffiti, litter or signs of vandalism which
make you feel unsafe, specify where or tick NO

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

Shopping Centre Safety Audit 3

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

8.
7.

SIGNS
SIGNS

10.
9.

8.1 On arrival at the parking areas is there adequate

signage about best access for wheelchair/disability
access into the shopping centre?

10.1

Y
N If NO where: __________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
10.2

N
Where_____________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

Y
N
8.4 Is there brail signage available?

8.
9.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT STOPS

10.
11.

Y if
N why not? ______________________

Y if N specify location:_____________
______________________________________
______________________________________

________________________________________
________________________________________

Y if
N why not?

_____________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

9.3 Do you feel safe using the pedestrian walkways?

Y if
N why not? _____________________

11.1(b) If No is a kerb ramp accessible to wheelchairs

provided to facilitate entry?

Y
N
11.1(c) Are ramps no steeper than the required
slope/incline as designated by Australian
Standards (1:14 Normally; very short distance
can be 1:8)

Y
N If NO where:_________________
______________________________________
______________________________________

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

9.4 Are the bus stops, taxi rank and pedestrian routes
well enough lit to identify a human face at 15 metres
(50 ft)?

Y
N

11.1(c) Do slope angles of pathways make it difficult to

keep a trolley, pram or wheelchair on an even
keel when pushed?

Y
N
9.7 Is there more than one route to the taxi rank?

Y
N
9.8 Is it easy to get on and off buses at the bus stop?

Y if
N why not? _______________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________

if Y Where:___________________ N
______________________________________
______________________________________

9.5 Are there signs to guide you to destinations?

Y
N
9.6 Is there more than one route to the bus stop?

INJURY/FALLS PREVENTION

11.1(a) Is there flat access from the car park, disability

parking bays into the shopping centre?

9.1 Do you feel safe at the bus stops?

9.2 Do you feel safe at the taxi rank?

If there are a confusing number of different levels in

the external parking areas please specify where or
tick NO

Y
N
8.3 Are public transport signs (bus stops and taxi ranks)
adequate?

Y
N

If there is sufficient lights and mirrors in

underground car parks, tunnels, corridors tick YES
otherwise specify where they are insufficient

Y
N

8.2 Are there enough signs and maps so that people can
find their way around easily? (being confused about
where to go makes a person feel more vulnerable to
harassment or assault).

OVERALL DESIGN

11.2

Are there enough disability parking bays?

11.4

Are there specific parking bays for seniors?

11.3

Are the disability parking bays adequate to enable

safe use by persons in wheelchairs? (a flat
surface no less than 3 metres wide (10 ft) which
allows for the car and wheelchair to be level when
a person is being transferred from the car to a
wheelchair)

Y
N

Y
N

Y
N If NO specify location:____________

________________________________________
________________________________________

Shopping Centre Safety Audit 4

11.4

If there are pot holes in the car park and public

transport areas specify where or tick NO.

N
Where_____________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________
11.5 Is the walkway from car parking spaces to buildings
covered to give adequate protection from the
weather?

Y
N If NO specify location:____________

________________________________________
________________________________________

11.6

________________________________________
________________________________________

Are the floor surfaces non-slip when dry?

Y if
N specify location:_______________

________________________________________
________________________________________

11.8

Are the floor surfaces non-slip when wet?

Y if
N specify location:_______________

________________________________________
________________________________________

11.9

Are there any uneven floor surfaces?

Where_____________________________
N
________________________________________
________________________________________
11.10 Is there a safety barrier around the trolley return
area?
LOCATION: _____________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________

Low?
Waist Height?
Other?

11.11 Are glass doors clearly marked?

Y if
N specify location: _______________

________________________________________
________________________________________

11.12 Is there a change in floor surfaces which assist

visually impaired people to realise that they
have reached the entry to a slope, escalator or
stairs?

Y if
N specify location:_______________

________________________________________
________________________________________

Shopping Centre Safety Audit 5

12.1

IMPROVEMENTS
IMPROVEMENTS - External
What improvements would you like to see to
external areas? Do you have any specific
recommendations?

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

Are there enough trolley return areas close to

parking, especially disability parking bays?

Y
N If NO specify location:____________

11.7

12.
11.

PLEASE TURN TO SECTION B OVER PAGE

SECTION BINTERNAL
OBSERVATIONS

15.2

As you walk through the shopping centre are there

places someone could be hiding without you
knowing it?

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Please state your entry point:

_____________________________________________

12.
13.

15.3

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

INSIDE THE SHOPPING CENTRE:

3.1

14.1

15.4

LIGHTING
LIGHTING
Is the level of lighting good enough to let you
identify a face at a distance of 15 metres (50 ft)?

15.5

How even is the lighting? Are there pools of light

and darkness?

Are any lights out?

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
14.4

15.6

_______________________________________
_______________________________________

ATMs Automated Teller

Machines

Y if
N specify location: ______________

16.1

Do you feel safe accessing the ATMs?

Are there plants and signage that interfere with

lighting?

16.2

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

15.
14.
15.1

If there are steps in this shopping centre, are they

easy to see and use?

16.

Do you consider the lighting in the area is

adequate?

SIGHTLINES
SIGHTLINES
Is it difficult to see whats ahead because of sharp
corners, walls, displays, plants, pillars?

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Shopping Centre Safety Audit 6

Y if
N specify location: ______________

_______________________________________
_______________________________________

14.5

Is there a need in this shopping centre for security

mirrors to let you see around corners?

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
14.3

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Is there a need in this shopping centre for corners

to be angled so they are easier to see around?
if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Y if
N specify location: ______________

14.2

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

What is your reaction to the place? Do you feel

safe or unsafe in this area?

Safe
Unsafe

13.
14.

Would you be able to see better if transparent

materials were used instead of solid materials (e.g.,
using lattice/Perspex instead of solid corridor walls
that cannot be seen through)?

Y if
N specify location: ______________

_______________________________________
_______________________________________

If people can see over your shoulder when you use

the ATM, specify the location, otherwise tick NO

Y location:________________________
N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

16.2.1 Screening of the ATM Is the ATM in an area

where there are lots of people so that you feel
safe or is it isolated?

Y in good public area

N Isolated (specify the location) ____________

_________________________________________
_________________________________________

15.
17.

17.1

ISOLATION FROM BEING SEEN /

HEARD
Do you know where to go to get help?

N
If Y where:________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
17.2

17.3

How close is the nearest telephone if you need to

call for help?
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

17. MOVEMENT
19.
MOVEMENTPREDICTABILITY
PREDICTABILITY
19.1(a) Are all entrances and exits of corridors, tunnels,
walkways, stairs, lanes or paths etc clear of
obstruction?

Y
N
19.1(b) If no, what is the obstruction?
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
_________________________________________
19.2

_______________________________________
_______________________________________

18.
20.
20.1

17.4

Is there adequate signage which tells you where

the Centre Management is?

Y if
N specify location: ______________

SIGNS
SIGNS
Are there enough signs and maps so that people
can find their way around easily? (being
confused about where to go makes a person feel
more vulnerable to harassment or assault).

Y
N

_______________________________________
_______________________________________

20.2
17.5

Have you seen a security guard whilst you have

been inside the Shopping Centre?

Y
N

16.
18.

Clear
Confusing
Too Small

GRAFFITI,
GRAFFITI, VANDALISM
VANDALISM and
and
AREAS
OF
AREAS OF NEGLECT
NEGLECT

Is there graffiti, litter or signs of vandalism which

make you feel unsafe?

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
18.2

Does the shopping centre seem owned and cared

for, or is it desolate, abandoned and look like a
place where unlawful activity might go unnoticed?

Owned/Cared for
Desolate/Abandoned

18.3

Which of these signs are adequate/inadequate (tick

your response):

Toilet Signs

THE SHOPPING CENTRE PRECINCT INSIDE:

18.1

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Is there adequate signage which tells you where

the nearest telephone is?

Y if
N specify location: ______________

Are there corners, recessed doors or bushes where

someone could hide and wait for you?

Handicap Toilet Signs

Clear
Confusing
Too Small

_______________________________________
_______________________________________

Non Existent

Telephone Signs

Clear
Confusing
Too Small

Non Existent

Centre Management Signs

Clear
Confusing
Too Small

Non Existent

Emergency Exit Signs

Clear
Confusing
Too Small

Non Existent

Public Transport Signs (bus stops, taxi ranks)

Clear
Confusing
Too Small

20.3

Non Existent

Is Brail signage available?

Y
N

Is there more than one way out of the area for a

person who feels threatened?

Y if
N specify location: _____________

Non Existent

19. OVERALL
21.
OVERALLDESIGN
DESIGN
21.1

Is it easy to find your way around?

21.2

Do you know where to get help in this Shopping

Centre?

Y
N

if Y Where:___________________ N
_______________________________________
_______________________________________
\

Shopping Centre Safety Audit 7

21.3

Public toilets are they isolated?

21.4

Y
N
How easy is it for an intruder to go into the toilets
unnoticed?

22.8

Easy
Difficult

21.5
21.6

21.7

Are there enough disabled toilets provided?

Y
N
Are the disabled toilets accessible by wheelchair
from a main entrance, lift or other circulation
space?

______________________________________
______________________________________

22.10

22.1

Are the floor surfaces non-slip when dry?

22.2

22.3

______________________________________
______________________________________

22.13

22.14

Y if
N specify location: ____________

22.15

22.7

Do the ramps include a 100mm high (4 inches)

gutter on each side that ensures effective control
of a wheelchair to prevent it veering over the
edge of the ramp and which serves as a tactile
cue for the visually impaired?

Y if
N specify location: ____________

Are there grab rails on walls in corridors?

Y if
N specify location: ____________

______________________________________
______________________________________

Is the surface of the ramp in good

repair?

______________________________________
______________________________________

______________________________________
______________________________________

22.6

Y if
N specify location: ____________

Y if
N specify location: ____________

Are glass doors clearly marked?

Are doors easy to open?

Do the ramps have non-slip surfaces?

______________________________________
______________________________________

Y if N specify location: ____________

______________________________________
______________________________________
22.5

Do ramps include at least one handrail extending

along its length and extended 300mm (1ft) at the
beginning and end of the ramp?

Y if
N specify location: ____________

if Y Where:___________________ N
______________________________________
______________________________________
22.4

22.12

Y if
N specify location: ____________

Are there any uneven floor surfaces?

Are the stairs in good repair (i.e., no chipped tiles

etc).
______________________________________
______________________________________

Are the floor surfaces non-slip when wet?

______________________________________
______________________________________

Y if
N specify location: ____________

Y if
N specify location: ____________

______________________________________
______________________________________

Are there any doors opening directly across the

top of the flight or stairs, or which swing so that
the top or bottom step is obstructed?
if Y Where:___________________ N
______________________________________
______________________________________

22.11

INJURY/FALLS PREVENTION

Do the stairs include a handrail that extends

300mm at the beginning and end of the flight of
stairs (to act as a tactile aid for blind people and
a balancing aid for pedestrians)

Y if
N specify location: ____________

Y
N

20.
22.

Y if
N specify location: ____________

______________________________________
______________________________________

22.9

Y
N
Are the hand operated flushing controls easily
accessible and easy to use by a person in a
wheelchair? (i.e., should not be higher than
1200mm above floor level and push button or
downward operating levers are preferred)

Do the stairs include non-slip edges?

______________________________________
______________________________________

Are there grab rails in all toilets?

Is there a landing or level rest area provided after

every 10000mm (10m or 33 ft) of the ramp? (if
applicable)

______________________________________
______________________________________

______________________________________
______________________________________

Y if
N specify location: ____________

Shopping Centre Safety Audit 8

22.16

Y if
N specify location: ____________

22.17

Do the escalators have non-slip surfaces?

Y if
N specify location: ____________

______________________________________
______________________________________

22.18

Are ramps, escalator inclines, pathways no

steeper than the required slope/incline as
designated by Australian Standards (incline
angle ???)

Y
N If NO where:_____________

______________________________________
______________________________________

22.19

Do slope angles of pathways, ramps, escalators

make it difficult to keep a trolley, pram or
wheelchair on an even keel when pushed?

if Y Where:___________________ N
______________________________________
______________________________________
22.18

Is there a change in floor surfaces which assists

visually impaired people to realise that they
have reached the entry to a slope, escalator or
stairs?

Y if
N specify location: ____________

______________________________________
______________________________________

23.

IMPROVEMENTS Internal

23.1

What improvements would you like to see to

internal areas? Do you have any specific
recommendations?
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________

24.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS?

___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________

Shopping Centre Safety Audit 9

PLEASE TURN OVER FOR

AFTER DARK EXTERNAL
SURVEY