Designing Out Crime Officer receives commendation for services to crime prevention

Mike Harvey has served in the South Wales Police for 30 years as a police officer and then since 2009 as a dedicated Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO). Within this position, Mike has played a major role - not just in South Wales but across the whole Welsh region. He is currently chair of the Welsh Region Designing Out Crime Group.

Mike is well-known, liked, and respected, not only within policing teams but also in his rugby circles. He is the Referee Liaison Officer for the Ospreys Regional Rugby Team and looks after all the referees at home games for the Ospreys (one of the four professional rugby union teams in Wales). He is on first name terms with most of the international referees. His Designing Out Crime work in South Wales has made South Wales a much safer place to live, work, visit, and play.

Mike Harvey has made great contacts within Welsh Government and has helped shape the Welsh Housing Quality Standards by getting Secured by Design included as standard. As the DOCO for South Wales Police, he is recognised for his wealth of knowledge and experience in designing out crime.

Mike has made great contacts within Welsh Government and has helped shape the Welsh Housing Quality Standards for grant funded social housing projects, by ensuring Secured by Design Gold is included as standard. He was also part of the team set up by Welsh Government that reviewed the Welsh Building Regulations.

As the DOCO for South Wales Police, he is recognised for his wealth of knowledge and experience in designing out crime.

His colleagues describe him as the consummate professional, who is a wonderful ambassador not only for his Constabulary but similarly for Secured by Design.

l-r: Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, Designing Out Crime Officer Mike Harvey and Police Crime Prevention Initiatives CEO, Guy Ferguson

Hazel Goss, Secured by Design, commented: “Mike has been a friend and colleague for over 20 years and this award could not have gone to a better person. Mike is an inspiration to us all with his dedication and knowledge and taking on the endless task as chairman on the All Wales Group, of which I am a part. Congratulations again on the award well deserved, Mike!”

Mike was given the award at the annual Secured by Design ATLAS conference, a CPD event for DOCOs and a chance for them to meet with SBD member companies. The award was presented by Guy Ferguson of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI) and Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy during a ceremony celebrating the best of crime prevention policing across the country.

Mike Harvey said: “I am delighted to receive this award and I am proud to be part of a team in Wales that has achieved so much in the field of designing out crime.”