Surrey Police sought protective measures for a family at risk. The force’s Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) have used the MailGUARD+Plus product to reduce the risk of arson.
Due to the DOCO’s previous knowledge, when asked by a detective, contact was made with Managing Director Steve Burge of Prestige Products, who was able to supply the product. Within 14 hours of a threat made to a household, the MailGUARD+Plus was in place. Eastbourne-based Prestige Products is a Secured by Design (SBD) member company.
SBD Development Lyn Poole said: “This is an excellent example of how one of our member companies, Prestige Products, has jumped into action when an immediate response was requested from the Police. Officers identified the products needed to assist them mitigate the risk against the victims and help them feel safe in their own home again. The MailGUARD product range is simple to install but extremely effective if put to the test.
“Steve Burge, the Managing Director of Prestige Products, has been a loyal supporter of Secured by Design for many years, attending our ATLAS National Training event where he has exhibited the MailGUARD product range to Designing Out Crime Officers from all 43 police forces.”
Steve Burge said: “We are proud to have been able to help Surrey Police in this particular incident. This again, just shows the confidence that the DOCO’s have in the MailGUARD/MailGUARD+Plus Letterbox Security products and that there was only one product that they had full trust in doing the job the product is intended for.
“This is probably one of the UK’s best target hardening tools available to police and fire services as well as local authorities that can be implemented for incidents such as these.
“We know that having the mark of SBD accreditation has and will only help in the future use of the Mail/HomeGUARD products being used by others. Prestige Products hope that their association with SBD will continue for many years to come.”
About Prestige Products
Set up in 2008, it produces a blocking and safety device for letterboxes, fitted within minutes, to prevent criminals fishing for keys. MailGUARD is targeted at housing providers and the emergency services; and HomeGUARD is aimed at the private residential market, via the locksmith industry. Both have the same features; a lockable steel security plate to stop burglars fishing through the letterbox. A flame retardant, self-extinguishing and leak-proof fabric bag is to contain small fires caused by flammable liquids or fireworks.
A ‘Plus’ version of both ranges uses the same self-extinguishing fabric as the standard product but with the addition of a heat detection tube, which releases an extinguishant to put out fires.
All products are encased in a white steel frame, with a bag with double zip-puller which can be locked, and allows all types of mail to be accepted – including bulky items such as newspapers. Visit http://guardyourmail.com/.
