ATLAS 2024 conference and exhibition welcomes record number of exhibitors

Sixty-six exhibitors joined over 200 Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCO), Crime Prevention Officers (CPO), senior police officers from across the UK and a range of guest speakers to exhibit their products. 

Every year since the mid-1990’s SBD have hosted a CPD training conference for the DOCOs & CPOs based in police forces around the country who deliver SBD at a local level, the ATLAS conference and exhibition. This event sees these specialist officers coming together to stay up to date with the ever-changing landscape of new standards, statutory requirements and technical developments. With delegates attending from all over England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales – as well as the Republic of Ireland, the British Transport Police and delegates from other roles within the crime prevention, planning and construction fields - it is also a chance for them to share best practice across forces and network with colleagues from around the UK. 

This year’s conference had an introduction from Chris Philp, Minister of State for Crime, Police and Fire, with keynote addresses from The National Protective Security Authority - the UK government's National Technical Authority for physical and personnel protective security - as well as from Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Problem Solving, a portfolio that incorporates Designing Out Crime Officers. 

Delegates also attended five workshops over the two-day event, which included focuses on Certification, SBD Technical updates, an update on behalf of BRE regarding LPS1175 and internationally renowned Architect Alan Marten conducting a workshop focused on urban design issues from the Architects perspective.
Every SBD member company exhibiting their SBD accredited products had the opportunity to meet every delegate and explain how their products, which have achieved SBD’s Police Preferred Specification, can be used to deter and reduce crime and help build safer communities. 

ATLAS 2024 also saw ten developments recognised for their excellence in the annual SBD Development Awards, with another nine officers receiving individual awards or commendations for the work that they have undertaken. 

Guy Ferguson, CEO of Police CPI, said: “As always, it’s been great to see our specialist Designing Out Crime Officers and Crime Prevention Officers come together, network with colleagues from across the UK and our SBD member companies. This feels like a club where we all learn from each other, and help each other. 

“The richly deserved awards are rightful recognition of the excellent work which has been undertaken by the winners to make our communities safer. 

“ATLAS is critical in ensuring that we keep pace with the ever-changing and increasingly challenging specialism of preventing crime and are ready to respond to the challenges ahead. This year’s ATLAS has been the largest and best event ever, and I would like to thank all of the speakers and those who delivered the workshops, as well as our member companies, for making the event such a success”. 

ATLAS 2024 saw £2,565 raised for Police CPI’s charity of the year, Care of Police Survivors (COPS), a charity that supports the families of police officers and staff who have lost their lives on duty.