Ealing Studios Receives Secured by Design ATLAS Commercial Development Award

The development, which previously achieved an SBD Gold Award, comprises a 4,605m² commercial building with 64 parking spaces and 76 secure cycle spaces. Metropolitan Police Service Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) Dean Davis worked closely with developer Glencar and the wider design team throughout the project to ensure security was fully integrated into the scheme.

Dean engaged with the architects and developer from an early stage, providing detailed design advice and technical specifications to support compliance with the Secured by Design planning condition. Through regular meetings and site visits, he continued to advise the team as the client's requirements evolved, ensuring crime prevention remained embedded throughout the design process.

One of the project's greatest challenges was balancing the demanding operational requirements of a modern film and television studio with the security standards expected of a Secured by Design development. The new building includes a 14,000 sq ft sound stage requiring exceptionally high acoustic and thermal performance alongside robust physical security.

Working collaboratively with the project team, Dean helped identify innovative solutions where standard products could not meet every requirement. For the sound stage entrances, he proposed using the building's lobbied access arrangements to split performance requirements between internal and external doorsets, allowing the developer to source compliant products while maintaining the required levels of security, acoustic insulation and thermal performance.

A similar approach was taken for the sound stage's large roller shutter entrance. When no existing product could satisfy the project's acoustic, weather, fire and security requirements, a bespoke twin-curtain roller shutter measuring seven metres by seven metres and weighing more than 6.5 tonnes was developed specifically for the scheme. The manufacturer is now considering testing the product against UKAS security standards following its successful implementation.

Throughout the project, Dean also worked to maximise Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles across the site, incorporating natural surveillance, formal surveillance, clear rule-setting and responsible guardianship into the overall design. His recommendations have resulted in improved control of access and egress, providing greater protection for the site's security team while maintaining the architectural quality of the redevelopment.

The project also presented unique security considerations beyond those typically encountered on commercial developments. As an internationally recognised film and television studio, Ealing Studios regularly accommodates high-profile productions, creating risks associated with unauthorised access, large crowds, celebrity visitors and protest activity. Dean worked closely with the developer to ensure these risks were carefully considered without compromising the welcoming character of the site or the operational needs of the studios.

This collaborative approach also helped the project team resist value engineering proposals that would have reduced essential security measures, including the installation of LPS-rated entrance doors protecting the new offices and sound stage. Alongside achieving Secured by Design accreditation, the redevelopment also attained BREEAM Outstanding, EPC A+ certification and Net Zero Carbon Ready status.

Crime data reflects the success of the scheme. Since completion, there have been no recorded burglaries, vehicle crimes, criminal damage offences or anti-social behaviour incidents within the site. Prior to redevelopment, the site had experienced both a burglary and an assault on a security guard attempting to prevent unauthorised access. The redesigned entrances and enhanced boundary treatments have been welcomed by the studio's security team, providing greater protection and improved management of access to the site.

In the award submission, the redevelopment was recognised as an outstanding example of how security can be integrated into a highly specialised commercial environment without compromising functionality, heritage or design quality. The close partnership between Dean Davis and Glencar's design team ensured that complex technical requirements were successfully balanced with the principles of Designing Out Crime, creating a secure, sustainable and future-ready facility that will support the continued success of Ealing Studios for years to come.

Dean Davis, Designing Out Crime Officer at the Metropolitan Police, said: “Receiving the Secured by Design ATLAS Commercial Development Award is a fantastic recognition of the collaborative approach taken throughout this project. Ealing Studios presented a unique set of challenges, requiring us to balance the complex operational demands of a world-renowned film and television studio with robust security standards.

“By working closely with Glencar, the architects, and wider project team from an early stage, we were able to develop innovative solutions that embedded security into the design without compromising functionality, sustainability or architectural quality. The finished development demonstrates how Designing Out Crime principles can help create environments that are secure, resilient and fit for the future.”

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 Dean Davis 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.