Purpose: The aim of this paper is to study the relationship between the architectural characteristics of shopping centres and their safety. The scope of the study covers the architectural means which create a safe building environment. The author suggests to reduce criminality by means of architecture, urban and landscape design. These means can be applied after carrying out five analyses of a future architectural and master plan of building. The main stages of the safety performance are described and the architectural safety algorithm is developed either for future or existing buildings. Methodology/Design: Efforts are made to adapt and naturalize the proposed principles to shopping centres in Russia. A safety assessment method is derived and a more subtle approach to creating safe shopping centres is developed. The methodological basis of the study includes: analysis of examples of modern shopping centres designed with possible threats of criminal nature; comparative analysis of research and design approaches to a safe architectural environment; analysis of scientific and normative documents on minimization of  criminal accidents in shopping centres; comparative analysis of principles, means and design techniques which increase the safety level of buildings; individual space classification by the level of access and required safety protection. Findings and results: A study of the safety principles is carried out with adaptation to shopping centres. The main types of crime accidents are identified according to the specificity of shopping centres. The main safety principles (territory, access monitoring, surveillance, etc.) are adapted to this type of buildings. A study of examples and recommendations on shopping centres allows identifying the main design algorithms for shopping centres accounting for the safety protection. A comparison of different types of threats and relevant architectural and planning protection methods allows detecting the main safety means for shopping centres. Practical implications: Architectural and planning methods of decriminalizing shopping centres can be used in reconstruction or design of new buildings; a comprehensive analysis of safety and recommendations on decriminalization can be used in reconstruction of existing buildings; a design algorithm for shopping centres can be implemented in new building design. Originality/value: Architectural means determine the formation of safe and protected shopping centres; development of design approaches to safety protection and individual building types; comprehensive analysis provides the evaluation of the building safety including the hierarchy of spaces and domains, visibility, stream of people, etc.; design algorithm is proposed taking into account the safety requirements and recommendations on the use of architectural means for shopping centre safety.