Deputy Chief Constable Nick Dean praises Secured by Design security standards at a 94-home development near Norwich
A development of 94 homes near Norwich has been praised by Secured by Design (SBD), the national police crime prevention initiative, for the way it has incorporated proven crime prevention measures into the physical security of its buildings.
The SBD Silver Certificates were issued as each phase of the four-phase Avant Homes’ Heathfields development was completed during 2016-2017.
The development of two-five-bedroom homes including 13 different house types, along with affordable and social housing, is situated in Hethersett, a large village dating back to medieval times, which is seven miles west of Norwich City Centre.
SBD trained police officers and staff worked with the developers and local authority planners at the planning stage to ensure that products like doors, windows and locks met SBD’s Police Preferred Specification for being sufficiently robust to resist physical attack to deter casual and opportunist burglars.
A spokesperson for Avant Homes said: “As a progressive, responsible homebuilder, we have a commitment to the communities we build in, and the people that live within them. We place great emphasis on the security of our homes to ensure the safety and peace of mind of our customers so we are very pleased to be recognised with an SBD accreditation.”
This police accreditation requires certification from an independent third-party UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) certification authority. This standard involves regular production audits and re-testing to ensure consistent quality over time and is current – compared to products that may have been tested only once many years previously.
SBD accreditation of products ensures Building Regulation compliance for security and is the only way for companies to obtain police accreditation in the UK.
Dick Wolsey, Designing Out Crime Officer, of Norfolk Constabulary, said the homes have been built with doors and windows from accredited SBD member companies, enclosed rear gardens with 1.8m high boarded fencing with lockable gating, and good open surveillance overlooking public spaces and roads to further discourage criminal activity.
Deputy Chief Constable, Nick Dean, of Norfolk Constabulary, said: “We are thrilled to have worked with Avant Homes on this development. Being safe is one of the most important considerations when putting down roots in a local community. It’s so important for us to work in partnership with developers and local authority planners to put in proven crime prevention measures to reduce crime and keep people safe.”
Avant Homes is one of the leading private developers of residential property in the UK. Last year it built more than 1,650 homes. The business employs 600 people and has four regional offices located in Stirling, Scotland; Sunderland, North East England; Wakefield, Yorkshire and Nottingham in the Midlands.