Secured by design is one of the new approaches in the fight against crime. It is a national scheme, operating throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The need for ’secured by design’ is as a result of our changing society. Communities themselves are changing and need to be kept safe and to feel safe.

Secured by Design is a partnership between the police, local authorities, businesses and local residents ‘pulled’ together by central government. In fact, it is implicit upon the police in line with the Crime and disorder act 1998 to work together with the above associations to produce a safer environment. There are three strategies within this partnership.

1. To reduce criminal opportunities by achieving better protection.

2. Increase the risk of detection using such tools as DNA and CCTV systems.

3. Increase the risk of apprehension.

The police are working with the local authorities and architects to ensure developments are to ‘ secured by design’ standards. The police are promoting the adoption or ’secured by design’ standards with the unitary development authorities and research shows that Secured by design development authorities, and research shows that ‘Secured by design’ developments suffer lower levels of crime compared with non-’Secured by Design’ sites in similar and comparable areas, together with a reduction in the fear of crime. There has been little indication of displacement.

In future, the ‘Secured by Design’ principles should be expanded to achieve more partnerships and create a greater focus on designing environments in conjunction with architects.

ACPO CPI is funded by licensed companies who meet the laid down standards and whose products are accredited by SBD.

Decor-Grill Security and the Built in Shutter Company have been working closely with the Police over the last 10 years to “Secure” properties properly, applying the risk assessment approach. We operate a full design service together with professional Installation Teams who ensure that the products are installed to provide the best possible security levels.

With one of the largest ranges of Grilles, Shutters and other physical Security products means that we can offer a real choice, to enable our clients to choose the right product for them to fit in with the risks and budgets of a particular situation.

This is achievable because we grade all of our products from Low up to High Security, with High Security being LPC or Loss Prevention Council Approved.

It is the LPC approved products that we have to install to qualify for ‘Secured by Design’ status.