Anti-theft bikes - what would you like to see designed next?

I really liked the Caped Crimestopper's blog post about the Design Out Crime programme. It's great to see industries other than those traditionally linked to law enforcement working to reduce glass injuries and make nights out safer for all of us.

Other products are also being designed to help reduce crime - did you know you can get anti-theft bikes? Laptops unlocked using the owner's fingerprint are becoming more common as well.

The kind folk at the Design Against Crime Research Centre have written an article for Crimestoppers on how burglars’ habits are changing as well as how design can help to prevent and deter crime. It's a good read and is on the Crimestoppers website - excelente!

What other products would you like to see designed to make them safer?

Cross-dressing to catch criminals

The Japanese have come up with some truly ingenious ways to fight crime. First there was the Japanese designer who made a skirt that could be transformed into a vending machine costume, allowing women to hide from pursuers, now police have started cross-dressing to catch criminals.

In the central Aichi prefecture, all-male police squads have been taking to the streets wearing wigs, skirts and high heels while carrying designer handbags. They are attempting to catch criminals who have been mugging well-dressed women.

Entry into the squads is elite - officers must be male, young, slim and hold a black belt in karate. Although I don't hold a black belt in karate (that's more of Granny Robyn's cup of tea), I'm confident I'd still be accepted into the squad as I excel against the other qualification criteria.

The Asahi daily reported that although some of the officers have been propositioned while walking the beat, no muggers have been arrested so far.

Can you think of any other creative ways to tackle crime? Get in touch and let me know.