Abbey Protect host DOCO awareness day

Abbey Protect, part of the well-established manufacturing UK based Abbey Group which has a team that includes ex-Police (Counter Terrorism Officers) and ex-Military personal who have worked at the highest levels in global security, held the event for officers from Merseyside, Cheshire, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and North Wales constabularies.

The DOCOs were welcomed by Abbey Protect Directors, Adam Kelly and Nick Connolly, before a keynote speech from Counter Terrorism academic and Terrorism survivor Travis Frain, followed by an Abbey Protect Securablinds product awareness presentation. The DOCOs were then given a tour of the nearby Abbey Protect factory.

Hazel Goss, Secured by Design, said: “I wish to thank Abbey Protect for a brilliant day, which was enjoyed by all who attended. The day started with an overview of the company and products, followed by a factory tour of the actual products. It is always fantastic to see and feel products and ask those questions that you do not get the opportunity to do from brochures/leaflets. Abbey Protect also provided a wonderful lunch and information packs to go away with, it was another day of excellent learning and a great opportunity for DOCOs to review Abbey's specialist protective security products”.

Abbey Protect commented: "It was an excellent opportunity to connect with the DOCOs to share product knowledge and raise awareness of Abbeys services especially our bespoke patent forced entry and bomb blast protection blinds".

Abbey Protect

Abbey Protect delivers high quality security products to a number of key national and international partners, providing complete security solutions consultation specifically, though not limited to, building and crowded place protection. The product range includes vehicle bollards and an extensive range of high security blinds, doors, films, bars and grilles. These aesthetically pleasing, premium security products enhance both the look and security of infrastructure facilities, businesses and homes. All Abbey products are tested and endorsed to the highest UK standards.

Find out more about Abbey Protect and their extensive range of Secured by Design accredited security grilles and shutters here.

Securablinds®

Abbey Protect’s flagship product Securablinds®, has been developed over several years to provide maximum security for some of the most sensitive and high profile governmental buildings, businesses and homes whilst taking into consideration functionality and aesthetics.  The patented Securablinds® product range is manufactured in the UK in the Abbey Protect factory. The Securablinds® patented system won the UK’s Counter Terrorism and Specialist Security Award in 2012, which paid testament to its quality and strength.

The Securablinds® Defender range of Blast Protection and Forced Entry Prevention blind systems for windows and doors have achieved Police Preferred Specification.  A specialist solution, Securablinds® patented blinds are used by governments, military, police and individuals the world over to protect their people and property.

The Securablinds® Defender products range offer an ideal replacement for the all too often unsightly window bars and grilles and they are fire safe, turning any window into a fire evacuation route with the gated or sliding types. They can be planned in at the design stage or retro fitted to any building, even listed buildings. Securablinds® blades work equally effectively vertically to suit requirements and easy access allows windows to be opened for ventilation and cleaning.

Also ideal for residential use, the Securablinds®Defender products offer unrivalled forced entry protection and are available in a range of styles to suit any window, whether it be a fixed Grille, Sash, an opening Gate or a 2 Door Slider. Abbey will manufacture to fit any shape or size, the blinds come in various colours to fit existing interior designs and decoration.

Manufactured in the UK, Securablinds® products have been tested and accredited by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) – previously The Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) - for forced entry prevention and blast protection against 100kg and 500kg TNT equivalent.  Abbey Protect are the only company globally that can provide these patented systems that withstand such high levels of attack.

Designing Out Crime Officers, specialists within policing

The UK Police Service has a number of highly specialised staff called Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) whose role is to provide specialist security advice and guidance as it pertains to the built environment at every stage of the design process, from pre-planning to the full development control, in order to minimise the potential for crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour.

Liaising with architects, designers and developers, DOCOs provide ongoing specialist advice on the security of new buildings and the refurbishment of existing buildings to enable building designs to be as safe and secure as is reasonably possible, promoting an awareness of the principles of crime prevention through design to both build awareness of, and ensure the adoption of, recommended security standards and specifications. This advice is provided free of charge.

The DOCO role is referenced within planning policy for England, Scotland and Wales, adding significant weight to their involvement in issues of design and both the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) promote creating safe and sustainable communities, encouraging pre-application discussion between planners and DOCOs, and also involving architects, developers and key stakeholders.

DOCOs engage with the rest of the policing family to ensure that a security solution is provided for the whole building and its surrounding environment. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is in place between Counter Terrorism Security Advisers (CTSAs) and DOCOs to support this measure and ensure they work together effectively to provide formal responses to relevant planning applications.

DOCOs are recommended as a source of assistance by the National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) due to their comprehensive, specialist training.

Reference was made to the crucial role of the DOCO in protecting women’s safety through their work providing specialist security advice in a parliamentary debate around planning and women’s safety.

Over the years the importance of the role of the DOCO has grown exponentially, with the DOCO role having been designated as a specialist role within policing by the National Police Chiefs’ Council a number of years ago in recognition of the highly specialist knowledge and skills that a DOCO must possess, and the criticality of their role in reducing crime and victimisation.