A housing development which incorporates crime prevention and security features has been given the national police award Secured by Design.
Six bungalows and four family homes in Fosters Close, East Bridgford, have been designed to maximise surveillance, reduce burglary opportunities and ensure privacy.
The 10 affordable homes have been built by the Eastern Shires Housing Association and designed by Nottingham based architects Halsall Lloyd LLP.
After meeting crime prevention standards, laid down by the Association of Chief Police Officers, the development has been awarded the Secured By Design Certificate.
The development incorporates external and internal design features, which means properties are situated in a specific way and each home is fitted with high quality security fittings.
Andy Meek, of HLP Architects, said: “The external design provides opportunities for natural surveillance, which means residents can look out on to the fronts of other homes and car parking spaces.
“It is also possible to see across into adjoining rear gardens to keep an eye on things when neighbours are away. In order to provide extra security and privacy, rear gardens are surrounded with appropriate fencing.
“Street lighting means buildings are visible at night, and along with low energy dawn till dusk lighting on front entrances, opportunities for burglars are reduced.
“Internally properties are fitted with windows and doors that have to meet the exacting specifications of the Secured by Design which ensures that these items are built to a robust standard and that locks are of a high quality. Electrical wiring and specific power points have also been installed to allow for burglar alarms to be fitted by individual home owners.”
Nottinghamshire Police has a number of architectural liaison officers (ALOs), who work with town planners, developers and architects, to help reduce crime opportunities. ALOs examine plans at an early stage and using their knowledge of crime pattern analysis, criminology and planning law, help design out crime.
Crime Reduction Manager Peter Ainley said: “By working closely with developers, buildings can be designed in such a way, which can help prevent significant levels of crime and anti-social behaviour occurring.
“Our job is to improve the quality of life for communities and help reduce the demands on the police for years to come.”
Secured by Design is the UK flagship initiative supporting the principles of designing out crime by use of effective crime prevention and security standards.
Research shows that Secured by Design can reduce burglary and car crime by 50 per cent and criminal damage by 25 per cent.
It supports one of the Government’s key planning objectives – the creation of secure, quality places where people wish to live and work.
