DOCO’s Persistence Recognised with ATLAS Commendation

The development, which includes a commercial building, petrol storage facility and cycle storage, had not initially been intended to achieve formal SBD accreditation. Through persistent engagement with the design team and client, Anthony successfully demonstrated the benefits of incorporating a higher level of security, helping the development to ultimately achieve an SBD Silver Award.

Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) Anthony began working with the design team in August 2023. Although the planning permission did not include a full SBD condition, the team agreed to follow SBD principles. However, the initial proposals were based on achieving a lower level of security, with concerns raised about the additional costs associated with security-rated products and measures.

The site presented a number of specific security considerations. It would be unmanned at night and included an outdoor petrol storage facility, while vehicles and other equipment would also be stored on site. Anthony used relevant local crime data and his knowledge of the risks affecting the area to demonstrate why a stronger approach to security was necessary.

Through continued engagement, persistence and an evidence-led approach, Anthony was able to change the design team’s view of the value of SBD. A number of improvements were subsequently incorporated into the development, including third-party certified security doors and windows, additional access-controlled doors to create greater compartmentation within the building, security shutters to protect the petrol storage facility and security-rated vehicle gates to secure the site at night.

Anthony also identified vulnerabilities within the cycle storage and emergency exit arrangements, leading to improvements including appropriate locks and additional protection to the emergency exit release mechanism.

The project initially faced attempts to value engineer some of the proposed security measures, with concerns raised over the cost of SBD-compliant doors, shutters and security-rated gates. Anthony worked closely with the design team and client to explain the risks and the importance of the measures, ultimately securing their full support for the SBD approach.

The completed development achieved an SBD Silver Award in April 2025. There have been no recorded burglaries, vehicle crimes, criminal damage offences or incidents of anti-social behaviour at the site during the period from November 2024 to October 2025. During the same period, Beddington Ward recorded 52 burglaries, 124 vehicle crimes, 68 criminal damage offences and 195 incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Anthony’s work has also strengthened the relationship between the police and local planning partners. Sutton Council now contacts him directly for advice on major projects in the borough, while the developer, having initially been reluctant to pursue SBD accreditation, subsequently approached Anthony for assistance in connecting with a Designing Out Crime Officer in Kent for a separate regeneration project.

The ATLAS judges recognised Anthony’s persistence and diligence throughout the project, along with his ability to use evidence, partnership working and professional expertise to influence the design team and secure a safer environment for the people who work at and use the site.

DOCO Anthony Walters said: “I believe the Therapia Lane development will serve the community well, and I am satisfied the developers have taken the police’s advice on board, working collaboratively to help  provide a safe environment for everyone who will use the building.”

The ATLAS Development Awards recognise developments that demonstrate excellence in designing out crime and creating safe, secure environments through effective partnership working and the application of Secured by Design principles.

DOCO Anthony Walters was presented the award at the annual Secured by Design ATLAS conference by Police CPI CEO Guy Ferguson and Chief Constable Lauren Poultney of South Yorkshire Police.

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. 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 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)

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.