Flagship UK Police initiative Secured by Design has launched a new online design resource to aid developers, architects and planners of commercial properties.
The interactive guide sits alongside the successful residential guide launched last year, and aims to highlight best practice solutions to ‘design out crime’ in the planning stages of property developments.
The guide, which is free to use on the Secured by Design website, was developed by architecture and graphic design studio Re-Format, to allow professionals to explore the principles of ‘designing out crime’ within a fictional 3D neighbourhood containing both residential and commercial properties.
A series of scenarios, including layout of communal spaces, use of lighting, access and landscaping, highlight planning decisions that reduce the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour. It also details the current standards required by ACPO Secured by Design and the Police services and complements the Secured by Design Principles and Design Guides, which can also be found on the site.
The requirements and recommendations within the guide are based upon verified research and have been proven to achieve a reduction in crime risk of up to 60%.
General Manager of Secured by Design, Alan McInnes, said: “After the success of the interactive guide for residential developments, we are pleased to bring commercial developers the guidance they have been waiting for.
“Now architects, planners, and surveyors can go to one site to access the scenarios and best practice for both residential and commercial properties. We plan to expand this toolkit in the future by adding a schools resource too.”
Partner of Re-Format, Stephen Lampard added: “We are pleased to develop the commercial toolkit and hope to build a whole community for developers to refer to. As a studio of architects and graphic designers we are in a unique position to create the toolkits that architects and urban designers relate to well."
