Crime prevention and security

Reviewed January 2020

 

Crime prevention

The Government's National Planning Policy Framework key objectives of any development include the creation of "safe and accessible environments where crime and disorder or fear of crime does not undermine quality of life or community cohesion." The definitive Design Council CABE guidance on writing design and access statements says there should always be a positive answer to this question: "Does the design address safety and crime prevention?" (note: CABE has now been incorporated into the Design Council).

The Crime Prevention Design Advisor (CPDA) employed by Thames Valley Police must be consulted by the SP as early as possible in the project (feasibility stage) so that opportunities for crime prevention and community safety can be considered and designed in wherever possible.

The CPDA specialise in advising architects, planners and developers on potential crime and security issues and patterns of behaviour. CPDA advice is based on the actual and potential crime risks. The CPDA promote crime prevention through environmental design, Secured by Design and Safer Places. Other good practice guides are used which link crime prevention to the planning system.

Safer Places – The Planning System and Crime Prevention sets out 7 attributes for designing out crime to achieve safe and sustainable developments.

They are:

  • Access and movement - places with well-defined routes, spaces and entrances that provide for convenient movement without compromising security.
  • Structure - places that are structured so that different uses do not cause conflict.
  • Surveillance - places where all publicly accessible spaces are overlooked.
  • Ownership - places that promote a sense of ownership, respect, territorial responsibility and community.
  • Physical protection - places that include necessary, well-designed, security features.
  • Activity - places where the level of human activity is appropriate to the location and creates a reduced risk of crime and a sense of safety at all times.
  • Management and maintenance - places that are designed with management and maintenance in mind, to discourage crime in the present and the future.

The CPDA service is available throughout the planning process, proactively helping to design out opportunities for crime and disorder in the future.

The Thames Valley Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor for Oxfordshire is:

Kevin Cox
Crime Prevention Design Advisor
Thames Valley Police

Thames Valley Police Headquarters
Oxford Road
Kidlington
OX5 2NX

Telephone: 07800 703351 
Email:kevin.cox2@thamesvalley.police.uk

The Secured by Design Schools Guide is available through the web at www.securedbydesign.com.

Security systems

Discussions are to take place with Oxfordshire County Council Corporate Landlord (OCCCL), as early as possible in a project, to identify the security systems that are required and to establish the overall cost of the equipment and installation.

The cost of the equipment and installation must be included within the total capital cost of the project, and therefore must be included in budget estimates and the cost figures given in the detailed project appraisal for the scheme.All new security systems are to be installed, maintained and used in accordance with the requirements of BS 4737 Intruder Alarm Systems or BS 7042 Specification for High Security Intruder Alarm Systems in Buildings.

Central monitoring stations used must comply with the requirements of BS 5979 Code of Practice for remote centres for alarm systems. Installers of intruder alarm systems must be a company whose business is subject to an inspection by an Independent organisation recognised by the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC). The NPCC intruder alarm policy has been adopted by the Thames Valley Police.