Harper Chalice Group host DOCO awareness day

The DOCOs from the West Midlands, Nottinghamshire, Warwickshire, West Mercia and Northamptonshire were welcomed to Harper Chalice’s Coventry HQ with a presentation covering Harper Chalice’s complete range of Integrated Security Solutions, followed by a comprehensive tour of the company’s ‘Integrated Security Hub’. The tour of the hub gave DOCOs the opportunity to see firsthand Harper Chalice’s portfolio of products, including pulse monitored electric fencing, Microphonic, Accelerometer & Active Infrared perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS) & other specialist detection systems.  

Hazel Goss, Secured by Design, said: “I’d like to thank Harper Chalice for holding the event which went very well, we have had great feedback from those that attended on the day. These events are an excellent opportunity for those attending to learn more about our member companies and their fantastic range of products/services. Holding them face to face is an excellent way of being able to physically see the products and understand the solutions they can provide”.

Iain Campbell, Harper Chalice Group commented: “It is always a pleasure to host these types of events and to demonstrate our extensive range of Intruder Detection Systems in our interactive ‘Integrated Security Hub’. Having a knowledgeable and interested audience helps to move the conversations onto ‘real-life’ issues and potential solutions to these and allows us to offer technical advice & education on the latest detection technologies available”.

Harper Chalice Group 

The Harper Chalice Group portfolio of specialist systems have been evaluated by the UK Home Office and other Government agencies for use on high security enhanced sites and in situations requiring enhanced perimeter security systems. 

Harper Chalice Group’s specialist electronic systems are designed for the protection of all types of perimeter applications including: 

• Enhanced high security systems
• Commercial
• Vehicle storage & logistics hubs
• External storage compounds
• Wall/roof topping systems
• Stand-alone applications
• Wall & building structure attack detection
• Building sites and scaffolding
• Residential premises 

You can find out more about Harper Chalice Group and their range of SBD accredited perimeter security products here. 

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.

Secured by Design

Police Crime Prevention Initiatives (Police CPI), which is part of the UK Police Service, delivers a wide range of crime prevention and demand reduction initiatives across the UK. Secured by Design is the most well-known of the extensive Police CPI portfolio, with all initiatives designed to keep the public safe from crime and to reduce the demand on the police service.

Secured by Design (SBD), which celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2024, operates an accreditation scheme on behalf of the UK Police Service for products or services that have met recognised security standards. These products or services – which must be capable of deterring or preventing crime - are known as being of a ‘Police Preferred Specification’.  

There are many hundreds of companies who produce over 7000 individual attack resistant crime prevention products in more than 30 different categories that have met the exacting Police Preferred Specification. This includes doors, windows, external storage, bicycle and motorcycle security, locks and hardware, asset marking, alarms, CCTV, safes, IoT connected products, perimeter security products and many others. 

SBD is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK. 

www.securedbydesign.com