In 1996 the Dutch Police Label Safe Housing was begun nationwide. The primary objective of the Safe Housing Label is to reduce crime (mainly burglary, car-related crime, theft, vandalism, and nuisance), as well as fear of crime through environmental design, architectural measures, and target hardening. The label is awarded by the police to new dwellings/housing estates that have good crime-prevention and fear-reducing features. This police certificate gives recipients a marketing advantage in selling or renting these houses. To compile the guidelines for the Safe Housing Label Manual, 55 patterns of design elements were distilled from the literature on crime-prevention and fear-reducing effects. The manual is structured but at the same time proves to be flexible in negotiations with architects and planners. When housing project developers or housing associations apply for a Police Label Safe Housing, their building project and its environment must meet certain requirements. The label, which is more a logotype, can be used only after the police have granted permission. Police check compliance with the patterns summarized in the manual. The future for the Dutch Police Label Safe Housing looks promising. The label and the manual are apparently working well as a means of communication between police and housing/environmental experts. 17 references