Vitessa Vault Security Achieves Secured by Design Gold

The independent facility in Oakwood opened its doors to customers in April and offers one of the most secure private storage facilities available in the UK. Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) Les Gipps, from Metropolitan police, was involved from the outset, providing specialist advice to ensure the facility met the highest standards. Following a detailed assessment confirming it met and exceeded Secured by Design principles, the site was awarded SBD Gold.

Layered security approach

Housed within a former NatWest bank branch, the building benefits from existing robust infrastructure, which has been further strengthened with additional steel and concrete reinforcement for protection, with seismic sensors and drill protection for added reassurance.

Inside, multiple layers of physical and electronic security work together to provide a controlled secured space for storing valuables including documents, jewellery, precious metals and other high-value items.

Secured by Design member company, Warrior Doors, played a key role in delivering the facility’s physical security requirements, supplying high-security doors, access systems and high-security display vaults as part of the overall design.

Key features include:

•    Grade 9 high-security vault – designed to exceed industry standards
•    24/7 monitored security systems – including advanced CCTV coverage and monitoring
•    Cutting-edge alarm systems – multi-layered protection including seismic detection technology designed to identify unusual movement or interference
•    On-site security guards – providing an additional layer of monitoring
•    Advanced biometric access control system – incorporating fingerprint and facial recognition to restrict access to authorised users only
•    Dual-key security system – each safe deposit box requires a client key and vault key by authorised staff to provide additional safeguarding
•    CCTV monitored car parking at the front of Vitessa Vault – adding an additional layer of security for arrivals and departures to the facility 

Together, these measures create a highly secure environment where access is tightly controlled, and risks are minimised through both design and operational practice.

Designed for privacy and flexibility

Vitessa Vault has been developed as an alternative to both traditional bank safety deposit boxes and home storage solutions. Unlike many banking facilities, it offers access 7 days a week alongside a personalised and flexible service tailored to individual client’s needs. Private viewing rooms allow clients to access their valuables in a discreet and confidential environment.

The facility provides a range of storage options, including private safe deposit boxes, larger vault storage for families to share, or for higher volumes of assets, and secure document storage solutions. These incorporate bank grade protective bags designed to be waterproof, tamper proof and capable of resisting fire and heat of up to 2000 degrees.

Recognising excellence in crime prevention design

The Secured by Design Award was presented by Guy Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, alongside Lyn Poole, SBD Development Officer, and Les Gipps, Metropolitan Police DOCO. 

L-R, Simon Kaufman co-ordinator Anderson Retail Architects, Guy Ferguson CEO, Police CPI, John Griffin Manager Vitessa Vault, Les Gipps Metropolitan Police Designing Out Crime Officer, Lyn Poole SBD Development Officer & Lee Warwick Metropolitan Police Designing out Crime Officer

The award recognises that Vitessa Vault not only delivers high levels of physical security but also demonstrates the integration of layered security measures across every aspect of the facility, from building design, security products, through to access management and day-to-day operations.

Guy Ferguson, CEO Police CPI commended Vitessa Vault, “This is an exceptional facility which demonstrates the high level of security that can be achieved to protect people’s most valuable possessions.

Achieving Secured by Design Gold reflects a clear commitment to exceeding recognised standards and reinforces the importance of applying proven Secured by Design principles that help prevent crime, while creating a secure and trusted environment for their clients.”

Lyn Poole, SBD Development Officer, added, “I visited Vitessa Vault and was given a tour of the facility by John and Ujjal. From the outside in, it was clear that not only had they focused on the aesthetics of the building but also on delivering exceptionally high security standards.

Originally built as a bank in the 1930s, the double-fronted building has been completely renovated and from the moment clients enter, I’m sure they will feel confident that both they and their valuable possessions are safe and secure.

It was also encouraging that they have taken the safety of their staff into consideration which isn’t always the case in these types of businesses. With state-of-the-art access control, robust physical security and building design, no detail has been overlooked, and the SBD Gold Award is very deserving. I was also pleased to learn that achieving Secured by Design was a choice rather than a planning condition. Vitessa Vault wanted future clients to know they had gone the extra mile because they are committed to delivering the highest security standards”. 

L-R, Guy Ferguson CEO, Police CPI, John Griffin Manager Vitessa Vault and Les Gipps Metropolitan Police Designing Out Crime Officer.

Designing out Crime Officer, Les Gipps said, “It was both refreshing and a pleasure working with the client and their design team. They have incorporated all available crime prevention principles, including full compliance to Secured by Design and not because of any planning requirement, but simply because it was the right thing to do for their business and the future customers.”

John Griffin, Manager Vitessa Vault, said, "We are delighted to receive the Secured by Design Gold Award, becoming the first private safety deposit facility of our kind in the UK to achieve this recognition. From the very beginning, our vision was to create a facility that sets a new benchmark for security, privacy and customer confidence.

“This award reflects the significant investment we have made in designing a truly layered security environment, combining advance technology, robust physical protection and rigorous operational procedures. We are particularly grateful for the support and guidance provided by the Metropolitan Police Designing Out Crime team throughout the development process.

“At Vitessa Vault, we understand that our clients entrust us with some of their most valuable possessions. Achieving Secured by Design Gold reinforces our commitment to providing a secure, trusted and accessible alternative to traditional bank safety deposit boxes, giving customers complete peace of mind when safeguarding what matters most to them.”

Warrior Doors MD Brett Barratt added, "It was a pleasure working with Ujjal on this project. From the very outset, he and his team were open to the concept of strategically placing airlocks throughout the building. Although this required several changes to the original design, Ujjal was committed to ensuring there was no compromise on quality, security, or functionality.

We were also pleased to work closely with Ujjal in advising on the specification, grade, and quality of the vault installations.

The finished result speaks for itself. It is an outstanding facility, and the quality and standard of workmanship delivered by the main contractor are exceptional.

The jewel in the crown for Warrior on this project is the three Warrior display vaults installed within the boutique retail area. These display vaults have recently achieved the highest rating ever awarded for glass cabinets, following rigorous testing by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) at its Watford testing facility.

The display vaults now house a range of high-value assets, from luxury watches and jewellery to gold bars.

Anyone entering Vitessa Vaults cannot fail to appreciate the attention to detail, quality, and security evident throughout the entire facility. The project inspires complete confidence that clients' precious assets are protected within one of the most secure facilities of its kind in the UK."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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.   

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 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.