Reevaluation of the effectiveness of environmental designs to reduce robbery risk in Florida convenience stores

Prevention of intentional injuries to convenience store workers has focused on prevention of robbery. Data from a cross-sectional study of the effectiveness of environmental designs to deter robbery in Florida convenience stores were reanalyzed in order to determine the effect of confounding from local crime risk factors and other environmental designs on robbery rate. Results of this reanalysis were applied to a review of the literature. Of 14 store design factors and 5 local crime risk factors considered, concealed access/escape routes, cash register located at the back or the side of the store, high county crime rate, and high county population size were significantly associated with increased robbery rate. Poor cash handling policy was significantly related to a decreased robbery rate. Results also indicated that local crime factors and some environmental designs confound the relationship between other environmental designs and robbery rate. Conclusions from this reanalysis indicated that studies of the effectiveness of environmental designs to deter robbery must adjust for confounding. Although environmental design tends to be an effective robbery deterrent strategy, results from studies have been inconsistent as to the effectiveness of specific design factors. This inconsistency is partially explained by lack of adjustment for confounding from local crime risk factors and multiple environmental design factors. Areas for further research are discussed.