Patshull House development recognised with SBD Development Award

Patshull House, located on Meadowside Road in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, comprises 11 new homes supported by dedicated parking, secured cycle storage for around 25 standard and oversized bicycles, and Sheffield stands for cyclists with disabilities. Additionally, the block includes an outdoor terrace, known as the Podium, which residents can access via access control measures.

The project, delivered by Berkeley Homes, was supported throughout by Metropolitan Police Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) Steve Watts, who was involved from the earliest pre-planning stages. Working closely with local authority planners, architects, and contractors, Steve’s consistent input helped shape the development’s security-led design approach, from initial layout to detailed specification and final delivery. The development was awarded SBD Gold status in July 2024.

A number of strategic changes were implemented as a result of DOCO consultation. These included a fully integrated access control system and a comprehensive CCTV installation that provides full coverage of all entrances, exits and communal areas—including the cycle stores, which are often targeted for theft in established blocks across the area. The cycle storage strategy also incorporated layered security features to maximise protection.

The project faced significant technical challenges, particularly in sourcing suitable security-rated doors and windows that also met fire safety, access control compatibility, ventilation, aesthetic and operational requirements. These were overcome through collaborative problem-solving, product research - including use of the SBD product search tool - and practical compromise where necessary. The emphasis throughout was on working with the contractor and design team to find solutions that balanced security with the broader demands of the scheme.

Crime data for the local area revealed a community affected by a range of offences, including burglary, bicycle theft and violence and sexual offences. The development actively addressed these concerns with design solutions to reduce risk and enhance resident safety.

These included measures to deter violence against women and girls (VAWG) through enhanced lighting, CCTV and clear sight lines across public areas, robust cycle storage secured at three levels of access and parcel theft prevention via secure lobbies, CCTV monitoring and a central concierge service.

Speaking on the award, DOCO Steve Watts said: “Berkeley Homes have demonstrated real dedication to achieving Secured by Design standards throughout this scheme. Their openness to continual improvement and willingness to respond to emerging crime trends has been impressive. The end result is a development that not only reduces crime, but also reduces the fear of crime - something that has a powerful impact on quality of life. I’m proud to have worked on this project and delighted to see it receive the recognition it deserves.”

Bernard McDonagh, Senior Technical Lead at Berkley Homes, added: “At the heart of the Kidbrooke Village is the philosophy that we are committed to creating high quality homes, nestled in nature, that are safe places for people to live and prosper. We are proud to work hand in hand with the Metropolitan Police and wish to thank Police CPI for recognising Patshull House for the Medium Development Award.”

Patshull House reflects how collaborative design, backed by practical crime prevention advice and strong developer commitment, can lead to safer, more secure and more sustainable communities.

Steve 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.