A new development in Runcorn is being ‘Secured by Design’ to deter burglars and make residents feel safer.
Cheshire Police with Cruden Construction are incorporating a comprehensive list of crime reduction features into the design and construction of the new homes on the Castlefields estate in a bid to reduce crime and to create a safer neighbourhood.
Force Architectural and CCTV Liaison Officer, Mark Antrobus jumped at the chance to design out crime in this part of Halton by working closely with developers Crudens, Halton Borough Council, Liverpool Housing Trust and CDS Housing.
The Castlefields estate is undergoing a £26m regeneration project. The eight-year project is half way through completion with 212 houses having already been built and the whole estate will eventually be 380 new homes.
The numerous crime reduction features to be incorporated into the development include:
British Standard approved multi-point locking systems to all windows and doors.
Replacing shared walkways and public spaces with private garden spaces that are demarcated and owned by residents.
Using laminated glass for doors and windows.
Lighting to all external doors and footpaths.
Landscaping- prickly plants to provide a natural barrier to deter burglars
‘Identislots’ integrated into all front doors enabling residents to verify the identity of a caller by asking them to put their ID card through a slot in the door.
Property Marking "Smartwater" systems offered to all house occupiers.
In March, a "Secured By Design" award was presented by Halton’s Chief Insp Dougie Shaw to David Woodward from Crudens and Angela Edwards from Liverpool Housing Trust.
"The development of the Castlefields estate has provided the police with a fantastic opportunity to make the area safer and properties more secure." said Mark. "By working closely together with Crudens we have been able to integrate all the crime reduction features as required under the national "Secured By Design" scheme at the design and construction stages as possible."
David Woodward from Crudens added: "By working with Cheshire Constabulary we have created a sustainable and safe development that will be safe and secure for years to come. Being a victim of burglary has to be one of the most distressing incidents of one’s life and we feel that by good design and through the use of quality materials we can support the police in the fight against crime".
Castlefield’s residents will shortly get a Cheshire Police ‘Safer Homes’ information pack which informs residents of the security measures and standards, with advice and guidance on crime prevention and personal safety.
Angela Edwards from Liverpool Housing Trust added: "We are delighted to have achieved this prestigious police "Secured By Design" award. To support the work of the police and Crudens we are offering a forensically identifiable solution called "Smartwater" to our tenants in Castlefields so that they can mark all valuable property". For more information about the nationally recognised ‘Secured by Design’ scheme, visit: www.securedbydesign.com
Cheshire Constabulary is also implementing "Smartwater" to all schools in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington. Smartwater is a harmless forensic solution that can be used for most applications and on many materials. Another application of Smartwater is the spray solution that is integrated into the alarm system and can be used to spray intruders with the solution as they enter a particular zone.
Residents are encouraged to log on to the Cheshire Police website where they can find out how secure their home is by completing a Safer Homes questionnaire. By answering questions, residents can see if they have taken necessary precautions to prevent a burglar breaking in.
