Safety

Secured by Design is a police initiative to guide and encourage those engaged within the specification, design and build of new homes, and those undertaking major or minor property refurbishment, to adopt crime prevention measures. SBD aims to reduce the opportunity for crime and the fear of crime, creating safer, more secure and sustainable environments.

The environmental benefits of SBD are supported by independent academic research consistently proving that SBD housing developments experience up to 87% less burglary, 25% less vehicle crime and 25% less criminal damage. It also has a significant impact on anti-social behaviour. This has been achieved through adherence to well researched and effective design solutions, innovative and creative product design coupled with robust manufacturing standards.

The SBD documentation provides comprehensive information on development layout and design by providing guidance on all aspects of design and layout and the impact on the creation of a safe and secure environments, including road layout, footpath design, communal areas, dwelling boundaries, car parking and lighting.

This documentation also provides details and guidance’s on the physical security of the home by providing the ‘Police Preferred Specification’ for all physical security requirements for new or refurbished homes.

Blackwood aims to ensure compliance with the SBD guidance throughout all new and refurbished developments to promote safer homes and places while achieving desirable places to work, live and visit.

SBD also has a National Building Approval scheme that ensures that all suppliers of door, window and roof light products consistently meet the requirements of the regulations and police preferred specifications to provide assurance to developers as well as residents that their home has been designed and built to a secure and safe standard.