Working with ACPO CPI on Crime Prevention
At the end of February we attended the ACPO Secured by Design 2013 CPDA (Crime Prevention and Design Advisors) Training Event. CPDAs are based within police forces across the country and provide specialist advice on the principles of Secured by Design and designing out crime as well general crime prevention advice. This year the event covered a range of subjects – heritage crime, lighting out crime, planning, and current architectural design trends.
Martin Gill chaired a panel discussion with some of the key voices in the housing and planning industries to discuss the housing crisis, crime prevention, Secured by Design and how the role of CPDA fits into the planning and housing process.
We also exhibited at the event to raise awareness of the Secured Environments accreditation. This is a police certification scheme – part of the ACPO CPI ‘Secured by Design’ family – which rather than focusing on specific design aspects, looks at the management processes for securing an organisation. The accreditation is awarded to organisations that demonstrate they have adopted six key principles for protecting themselves against crime. Upon registering organisation are guided through the process to meet the principles, and are then audited to determine whether they are achieving them.
There are a number of benefits that organisations gain through obtaining the Secured Environments accreditation –
- Review the effectiveness of existing security
- Manage crime and disorder
- Protect staff, premises and data
- Demonstrate to staff and clients that security is taken seriously
- Decrease fear of crime
- Show commitment to staff and/or clientele welfare
- Reduction in inefficient security costs
- Increase efficiency of pre-existing security measures
- Access to help and support regarding security measures
- Increase kudos over competitors
Secured Environments is suitable for most types of organisation and relevant to everyone involved in crime prevention. To find out more visit the website: http://www.securedenvironments.com or call us on 0116 222 5555.