Waltham Connect receives ATLAS award for secure, design-led approach

 The site, previously known as Cartersfield, is now formally named Waltham Connect and was awarded the SBD Gold accreditation in August 2024.

Comprising four commercial units on Cartersfield Road, the scheme provides 57 parking bays and secure cycle parking for 21 bicycles. It was developed by Qualis Homes Group, with ongoing input from Essex Police Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) Caroline Peters throughout the project’s lifecycle, from pre-planning through to delivery.

The project builds upon an already strong working relationship between Caroline and Qualis from previous residential developments. As soon as the land was acquired, the developer engaged Caroline in early discussions to embed crime prevention into the proposals. This pre-emptive collaboration proved crucial in aligning site security with the development’s commercial use and long-term functionality.

Key interventions included early-stage input on doorset standards, access control solutions and secure gate mechanisms. Caroline also advised on boundary treatments that balanced effective perimeter security with a welcoming aesthetic, ensuring the site did not present a ‘fortress mentality’ while remaining appropriately risk-commensurate.

Although local crime data did not initially indicate high risk, Caroline identified the change of use as a potential concern and advocated for enhanced physical security standards. This led to the adoption of SBD Police Preferred Specification products beyond the minimum PAS requirement - reflecting a proactive stance rather than a reactive one.

One notable challenge centred on an existing palisade fence to the north and west boundaries. The developer initially sought to retain it based on its appearance in site visuals. Caroline recommended an in-person inspection before agreement could be given. Following a successful site visit, the fencing was deemed suitable and retained, saving the developer time and cost without compromising security.

Since initial occupation, there have been no reports of crime associated with the development, according to both Police UK data and local police systems.

DOCO Caroline Peters praised the developer’s commitment: “The team at Qualis Group consistently treat crime prevention as a material planning consideration, regardless of whether they are delivering full units or shell-only constructions. They remained fully engaged throughout the process, continuously asking the right questions and actively working to ensure the scheme met SBD standards. The result is a secure, contemporary commercial estate that complements its surroundings and sets a benchmark for future phases of development in the Brooker Road Industrial Estate.”

Waltham Connect demonstrates that commercial premises can be both functional and secure without sacrificing design integrity. With further units now in planning, Caroline continues to work alongside Qualis and Epping Forest District Council to ensure future developments build on the successes of this project.

A time-lapse video of the construction process can be viewed here: Waltham Connect Case Study

Caroline 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.