SBD programme airs at the Police Federation Conference
A film showing how Secured by Design (SBD), the national crime prevention initiative, is working with Police Forces and other organisations around the country to reduce crime, was shown as part of the Police Federation of England and Wales' annual conference this week.
The four-minute film was included in a specially-made series of programmes collectively called Above and Beyond produced by the Police Federation of England & Wales in partnership with ITN Productions, ITN's bespoke production hub, and is introduced by national newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky.
The programme features key industry interviews and news-style reports along with sponsored editorial profiles.
The SBD programme was shown publicly for the first time at the eve of conference launch event on Monday, 15 May, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Birmingham, just a short distance from the main conference, which took place on 16-17 May at the Birmingham International Convention Centre.
The programme highlights how SBD is working with global developer Lendlease at their Elephant Park development at Elephant & Castle in central London.
Walking around Trafalgar Place, one of the completed parts of the development, SBD Development Officer Lyn Poole told programme reporter Nick Thatcher how police officers were involved at the design stage before building commenced to incorporate crime prevention techniques to reduce crime and the fear of crime. Police advice was provided on the built environment, such as providing natural surveillance and defensible space, and into the physical building security, like doors, windows and locks that achieve SBD's Police Preferred Specification standards.
Ed Mayes, Lendlease Development Director for Elephant Park, said on camera: "Getting Secured by Design involved from the outset has been critical to the success of Elephant Park, ensuring the masterplan layouts are inherently safe and will provide great secure streets, and public spaces, as well as homes for our customers. Having those officers involved in the design teams from the early stages avoided abortive work and ensured we were reducing our costs, and more importantly it will leave a legacy which is truly safe for years to come."
The programme included graphics of independent academic research which has found that SBD new-build properties are up to 75% less likely to experience a burglary than comparable non-SBD properties, with refurbishments up to 63% less likely to be burgled. This was based on research supplied by Professor Rachel Armitage, of the Secure Societies Institute, University of Huddersfield, who explained that convicted prolific burglars themselves had endorsed the techniques of Secured by Design after they were shown a series of photographs of properties they would target and those they would avoid.
Chief Constable of South Yorkshire, Stephen Watson, who is the National Police Chiefs' Council lead on crime prevention, spoke about how preventing crime can free up police resources and save heartache for victims. He added that this was why it was important to have a network of police staff working with architects and developers around the country to design out crime.
A resident of Elephant Park had the last word in the programme when she spoke about the importance of having good locks on doors and windows and a high balcony. "I feel really safe here," she said.
SBD Chief Executive Officer, Guy Ferguson, said: "I am delighted for the opportunity to tell people about what SBD does and why it does it. This short programme succinctly gets that message across."
You can view the programme here: https://itnproductions.wistia.com/medias/n5g5rijo67