HARDWARE & SECURITY
Designing Out Crime Officers
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DESIGNING OUT CRIME OFFICERS ( DOCOs ), work closely with architects , developers and local authority planners on newbuild developments and major refurbishments to design out crime at the drawing board stage . In this issue of Clearview , Secured by Design provides the theory behind the initiative , while Warrior Doors helps explain some of the practical application …
Secured by Design ( SBD ) is the national police crime prevention initiative , that seeks to achieve sustainable reductions in crime to help people live and work in a safer society . Working in partnership with national and local government , British and European standards authorities , trade associations , the construction industry , manufacturers and many other organisations to reduce crime and the fear of crime by incorporating proven crime prevention techniques into the built environment , the work in local communities is carried out by a network of more than 200 SBD-trained police officers and staff in Police Forces across the country ; known principally as Designing Out Crime Officers ( DOCOs ).
THE THEORY
SBD was created in 1989 following the housing boom of the 1960s-1980s when there was a huge and urgent demand for housing . Estates were built quickly and often cheaply with little consideration given to security . Escape routes were everywhere , anonymity was absolute and crime increased , particularly burglary . In response , the Police set up SBD to incorporate crime prevention into new developments . Today , DOCOs work closely with architects , developers and local authority planners on new-build developments and major refurbishments to design out crime at the drawing board stage ; across a range of building sectors including housing , commercial , retail , mixed use , transport , health , education , sport , leisure and many others .
Tens of thousands of residents have moved into new or refurbished homes designed to SBD crime prevention standards and continue to benefit from the high standards of security set by DOCOs . Independent academic research from the Secure Societies Institute at the University of Huddersfield shows that new developments that include SBD crime prevention techniques in the built environment and SBD accredited products in the physical security of buildings can reduce crimes like burglary by up to 75 % compared to equivalent non-SBD developments . Evidence suggests these figures are sustainable year-on-year and represent a significant reduction especially as most SBD developments are in social housing , many of which are in deprived areas . Having robust , accredited products means they will require less maintenance , repair and replacement . Furthermore , less crime and antisocial behaviour reduces demand on the police service and assists local authorities .
www . securedbydesign . com
IN PRACTICE
One such company that understands the importance of SBD products and the role of DOCOs in our everyday life is Warrior Doors …
Warrior Doors is a Birmingham-based manufacturer of high-security door solutions . Typing ‘ Warrior Doors ’ in the Secured by Design website ’ s approved products search box will throw up no less than 26 results . For many DOCOs , this tool is the ‘ bible ’ when it comes to seeking out SBD products and information regarding their use .
To obtain a SBD accreditation , products have to be certified by an independent , third-party UK Accreditation Service ( UKAS ) certification authority . This standard involves initial testing of products , regular re-testing and production audits to ensure standards are maintained over time as opposed to being tested only once . Warrior Doors goes one step further by independently testing its doors to incredibly stringent and robust criteria , then has them certified to LPS 1175 or LPS 2081 SRB standard by BRE , the industry ’ s leading body ; meaning DOCOs can have complete peace of mind when choosing a door that is fit for purpose , whether the planned project is for a high-end jewelers or a communal housing entrance .
As manufacturers of high-security doors for over 20 years , Warrior Doors ’ experience combined with innovation for product design and development means that its products offer maximum security without compromising on overall aesthetic or light getting inside to a building .
For more information on Warrior Doors please visit www . warriordoors . co . uk , or alternatively give the team a call on 0121 706 84004 .
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