Designing Out Crime Officer receives Lifetime Achievement Award

Paul was a serving Police Officer with British Transport Police (BTP) for just over 30 years, retiring in 2011 and moving into the world of Designing Out Crime where he has worked ever since as a Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO).

A DOCO is a specialist role found across every Police Force in the UK, with dedicated officers working with architects, developers and local authority planners from the planning stages through to construction. They provide guidance on incorporating Secured by Design (SBD) crime prevention principles and advice on measures and techniques to design out crime, as well as advising on the physical security of buildings. This includes features such as doors, windows and locks, as well as layout and landscaping of the surrounding area. These measures combine to deter and reduce crime.

Based in Leeds, Paul covers the North section of the East Coast Route and the North East Route. He is not only popular internally within the team and BTP, but also with his external colleagues and railway industry stakeholders, receiving regular praise and positive feedback regarding his work.

Paul has recently been praised for his work within suicide prevention, where the BTP DOCOs use situational crime prevention techniques and apply ‘Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design’ principles in an attempt to reduce suicide on the railway – with stakeholders feeding back that his reports are always informative and useful with recommendations being relevant and practicable. Whilst it’s a difficult and at times thankless job dealing with suicides, many of which will be young people and those experiencing mental health crisis, Paul always remains positive in his outlook and never stops fighting for safety improvements to the railways.

In 2022 Paul received a BTP Make the Difference Award in recognition for his continued hard work and commitment to ensuring continuity of a high level of service across the Pennines.

Kate Downs, Lead DOCO at BTP, commented: “It was little surprise to me that Paul was nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award and I 100% back that nomination. There are not enough words to describe how committed, supportive, knowledgeable and hardworking Paul is in his role.

“He has such a positive impact in terms of the crime prevention function, not only within the team, but across BTP, the rail network and out within the wider crime prevention community. Paul is always there to support new members of staff and his colleagues and willing to provide input and advice to initiatives and projects.

“Paul has been recognised several times for his work, including a Make the Difference Award in 2022, and has been involved in countless successful development projects. Paul is a pleasure to work with and I am honoured as his Line Manager to have him as a long-standing member of the BTP Designing Out Crime team.”

Paul is well-respected by his colleagues, who said of him: “Paul is always very open and approachable. He provides such a positive influence within the team, especially for the new members, often offering support and advice where needed. He is our Cycle Crime SPoC and is extremely knowledgeable and experienced with all subject matters. He is professional and extremely committed. You know all design projects are in safe hands with Paul and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving of such an award”.

l-r: Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, award recipient Paul Hardy and Police CPI CEO Guy Ferguson

Paul 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.

Paul Hardy said of receiving the award: “I was delighted and honoured to be given the award at the 2023 ATLAS training event. I had no idea I had been nominated, and by another police force. The role of the DOCO is to provide advice and engage with planners, architects and stakeholders at the earliest stages of a project, aimed to design out crime and provide a build environment that reduces crime and the fear of crime to users. It’s a role I am delighted to be involved in, and designing out crime does make a real and long-term difference to reducing crime.”

Police CPI CEO, Guy Ferguson, commented: “Paul has been a valuable member of the wider Secured by Design team for many years and his contribution has been invaluable. He is not only professional at all levels but also is a great help to others less experienced than himself. He is richly deserving of this award.”