THE door industry journal winter 2025 27 Industry News Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk Why the Police Preferred Specification surpasses standard regulations The experience gained by the UK police over the past 36 years in the field of designing out crime has led to a physical security requirement that is proven to be more consistent, robust and effective at deterring crime than that set out in UK Building Regulations. The Police Preferred Specification Standard for security products accredits products or services capable of deterring or preventing crime. • Knowing a product is truly fit for purpose is vital. The specification recognises products that have been tested to the relevant security standards, but, crucially, it also requires them to be fully certificated by an independent third party that is accredited by a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) Notified Body • This accreditation scheme has been active for 26 years, providing a recognised standard for security products sufficiently robust to resist physical attack by casual and opportunistic burglars. It is the only way for companies to obtain police recognition for security-related products in the UK • The SBD focus is comprehensive, covering the entire product life cycle: design, use, quality control, and the ability to deter or prevent crime Ensuring ongoing quality and performance The Police Preferred Specification is not a one-time approval. It requires regular re-testing and an annual inspection of the manufacturing facility by a UKAS body to ensure both quality and performance are consistently maintained. This process provides assurance that products are produced under a controlled environment, aligning with the specifier’s goals and actively minimising misrepresentation by unscrupulous manufacturers. The result is the delivery of a demonstrably more secure product on-site. This commitment to superior quality means the accredited products also last longer, making them more cost-effective and leading to greater sustainability in crime prevention efforts. The proven benefits of using SBD-accredited products have driven significant demand, which is evidenced by increased traffic to the SBD website and reported sales growth for SBD member companies. Impact and Public Confidence Every day, Police Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) collaborate with the building industry to implement SBD’s standards. The police service consistently directs customers looking for reliable security products to the Secured by Design website, where a comprehensive list of hundreds of companies producing Police Preferred Specification products can be found. The environmental and social benefits of SBD are substantial, backed by academic research consistently proving that SBD housing developments experience up to 91% less burglary, 25% less vehicle crime, and 25% less criminal damage. This successful track record is achieved through adherence to well-researched design solutions, innovative product design, and robust manufacturing standards. SBD represents a powerful, trusted police brand that instills greater public confidence in products, solidifying its status as the exclusive route for police recognition of security-related products in the UK. The ATLAS exhibition – are you missing out? Every year since the mid-1990s, SBD has hosted the ATLAS conference and exhibition. This annual event serves as a crucial Continuing Professional Development (CPD) training session for the Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) and Crime Prevention Officers (CPOs) who implement SBD standards at the local level across the country. The ATLAS conference is where these specialist police officers - attending from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales, as well as the British Transport Police - come together to stay current with the rapidly changing landscape of new security standards, statutory requirements, and technical developments. It also provides a vital platform for them to share best practices across different forces and network with their colleagues from around the entire UK. Exclusive Opportunities for SBD Members SBD offers its member companies exclusive opportunities at ATLAS to interact directly with these officers and introduce them to their latest products and innovations. The conference is an excellent chance to promote your organization and security products at this prominent policing event and engage with delegates throughout the duration of the conference. ATLAS continues to expand year after year. The most recent event was the largest ever held, with a record number of exhibitors taking advantage of the fantastic promotional opportunity the conference provides. For SBD membership or technical enquiries, visit www.securedbydesign.com/contact-us/sbd-membership-and-technical-enquiries
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