DOCO Commendation Awarded to Met Officer

Sean’s exceptional problem-solving approach and technical expertise have made a lasting impact on crime prevention and urban design, not only within Lambeth but across the wider London region.

Sean was nominated for the award by colleagues who described his ability to build and maintain trusted partnerships with local authorities as a defining feature of his work. His expert advice is highly sought after and respected, playing a pivotal role in the successful delivery of numerous large-scale developments that have contributed significantly to shaping London’s skyline, continually ensuring enhanced community safety.

Known for his unwavering commitment to the highest standards, Sean’s meticulous attention to detail and innovative approach have raised the bar for secure design. Beyond his professional achievements, he has demonstrated exemplary leadership as a mentor to new DOCOs, generously sharing his knowledge and fostering the development of future crime prevention specialists.

Colleagues and partners alike commend Sean for his approachable and collaborative manner, which has strengthened relationships across all sectors. His passion for creating safer, well-designed environments continues to benefit the residents and stakeholders of Lambeth.

This commendation recognises Sean Hathaway’s exceptional professionalism, dedication, and significant contributions to designing out crime.

On receiving this award, Sean said: “Police involvement in the building process by injecting long lasting, proportionate, and effective security measures is rewarding and exciting. It is a privilege to find myself in a job I truly love. This commendation means a great deal to me, not least because it was submitted by colleagues and partners who I respect and admire.”

Guy Ferguson, Police CPI, commented: “Sean Hathaway’s work in Lambeth has been truly outstanding. His dedication to crime prevention, technical brilliance and collaborative spirit have set a benchmark for what a DOCO can achieve. He doesn’t just deliver secure developments, he inspires confidence and trust in the communities he serves. This commendation is a well-deserved recognition of his unwavering commitment to crime prevention.”

Sean was presented with the award at Secured by Design’s ATLAS training event by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives CEO Guy Ferguson and South Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Lauren Poultney, the head of profession for police Designing Out Crime Officers.

What is Secured by Design?

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, work, shop and visit.

SBD’s product based accreditation scheme, the Police Preferred Specification, provides a recognised standard for all security products that can deter and reduce crime.

There are currently many hundreds of companies producing thousands of attack resistant crime prevention products, across 30 different crime categories, which have achieved Police Preferred Specification.

Improved security

Developers around the UK can achieve SBD awards for incorporating crime prevention measures and techniques into their developments in all kinds of building sectors, such as residential, education, health, transport, commercial, retail, sport and leisure. Indeed, SBD can be used as evidence to discharge third-party obligations under Part Q of Schedule 1 (Security) to the English Building Regulations, the Scottish Building Standard 4.13 (Security) and Welsh Building Regulations Part Q (Security - Dwellings). These awards are gained by working with police Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs), who advise architects, developers and local authority planners long before construction begins - and continue to provide advice and guidance until the development is complete.

Academic and other research shows that improving standards of security in brand new and refurbished properties, helps deter and reduce crime. Reducing crime and the fear of crime has direct links to better physical and mental well-being, such as with regard to high volume crimes like domestic abuse.  

The built environment influences the behaviour of people who work, live, socialise or simply pass through. SBD seeks to create environments where the law-abiding feel safe and secure whilst at the same time causing the criminal or anti-social to feel vulnerable to detection and thereby influence behaviour in a positive way. This continues to be a key objective for SBD.

Find out more about SBD Developers Awards here.

SBD Design Guides

SBD has produced a series of authoritative Design Guides to assist the building, design and construction industry to incorporate security into developments to comply with the Building Regulations in England, Scotland and Wales and meet the requirements of SBD.

These Design Guides, available to download for free at the SBD website, have been updated over the years to keep pace with changing patterns of criminal behaviour and advances in building design and new technology.

They are a valuable source of reference to architects, developers, self-builders, local authority planners and police officers and cover a range of building sectors, including residential, education, health, transport and commercial.

Police Designing Out Crime Officers

DOCOs provide specialist crime reduction advice to the public, businesses and colleagues about premises or property security. They also work with building developers, architects, and council planning departments regarding new developments and refurbishments, to 'design out' crimes like burglary and anti-social behaviour (ASB) by providing advice on street lighting, building and street layout, entrances and exits - as well as preferred standards and specifications for doors, windows, and locks, under the Secured by Design initiative. 

DOCOs are able to deliver site specific interventions required to help design out crime in areas that suffer disproportionately from acquisitive crime, based on local crime pattern analysis, police, local authority and community engagement and the collective knowledge and experience of how criminals behave.

DOCOs are specialist problem solvers, working every day to make a positive difference, changing lives for the better and helping people to be safe and secure in their homes.

Contact details for local DOCOs can be found here.

The ATLAS Conference and Exhibition

Since the mid-1990s, Secured by Design has hosted the annual ATLAS Conference and Exhibition - a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training event for Designing Out Crime Officers and Crime Prevention Officers from police forces across the UK who deliver SBD at a local level.

The conference brings these officers together to stay informed on the evolving landscape of standards, statutory requirements and technical developments. With attendees travelling from across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as representatives from the British Transport Police and professionals from crime prevention, planning and construction, ATLAS provides a valuable platform for knowledge sharing, cross-force collaboration and national networking.

SBD member companies are offered exclusive opportunities at ATLAS to engage directly with officers and showcase their latest products and innovations. The conference continues to grow each year, with this year’s edition the largest to date, featuring a record number of exhibitors taking full advantage of the unique access and exposure the event provides.