What exactly is an 'Architectural Liaison Officer'?
A good way of explaining architectural liaison is to say that it involves 'Designing Out Crime'.

Gone are the days when police just want to catch the crook. Now, as far as we can, we want to prevent the crime happening in the first place.

Physical environments can contribute to crimes against buildings, property and people.

For example, if a shop persistently has a problem with youths gathering and causing anti-social behaviour, it may be that the wall outside the premises which provides a place to congregate could be removed thereby making the environment less inviting and reducing the number of nuisance incidents.

Another example may be an upcoming housing estate which has features planned which would help villains commit crimes unnoticed.

Our specially-trained Architectural Liaison Officers work with planners, architects and builders to design out any features to avoid crimes happening in the first place but they also work with partner agencies to take remedial action where a problem has arisen.

Norfolk Constabulary currently has Architectural Liaison Officers (ALO) across the county, they are able to cover all planning authorities, see below on how to contact them. These officers are also known as Crime Prevention Design Advisors (CPDA) in some forces but the function is the same.

 

What is CPTED?
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is the creation through design of a physical environment which can help improve the overall security of the community.

All our Architectural Liaison Officers are also Crime Prevention Officers who have been trained in the use of CPTED.

High standards of physical security are essential in CPTED but so too are environmental factors, access and design which all deter offenders and give occupiers feelings of ownership of their community.

Although it is impossible to totally eliminate crime, research and practical examples show that crime risks and the fear of crime are significantly reduced by addressing security at the design stage. Refurbished estates in particular see a major reduction in crime through the 'Secured by Design' initiative.

 

What is Secured by Design?
Established in 1989, Secured by Design (SBD) is owned by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and is the corporate title for a group of national police projects focusing on the design and security for new and refurbished homes, commercial premises and car parks as well as the acknowledgement of quality security products and crime prevention projects.

 

Secured by Design Membership
The company operates a licensing scheme currently including more than 350 member companies who are entitled to use the Secured by Design logo and promote the term 'Police Preferred Specification' on products which have passed the tests specified by ACPO Secured by Design.

 

Designing out Crime
Being inherently linked to the Government’s planning objective of creating secure, quality places where people wish to live and work, Secured by Design has been cited as a key model in the Office of Deputy Prime Minister’s guide 'Safer Places - The Planning System & Crime Prevention' and in the Home Office's 'Crime Reduction Strategy 2008-11'.

The title Secured by Design and the related logos are registered as UK Trademarks owned by ACPO Crime Prevention Initiatives Limited, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England 3816000.

The full details of the scheme, how to apply and what is required can be found at www.securedbydesign.com.

 

How do you contact your Architectural Liaison Officer?
Norfolk Constabulary has ALOs across the county covering all the planning areas, their advice is FREE of charge, they are:

• PC Gail Kevern based at police headquarters in Wymondham.
• Mr Brian Moore and PC Paul Smith, who are responsible for Norwich, South Norfolk and parts of Broadland.
• Paul Sakey, who is responsible for Great Yarmouth and district.
• PC Keith Beckett is responsible for Breckland.
• PC Steve Gower covers West Norfolk.

They can all be contacted through the main switchboard on 0845 456 4567.

 

What else do they do?
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Crime Prevention Initiative also includes the Park Mark* award in association with the British Parking Association.

This scheme recognises and rewards parking facilities which take steps to reduce crime within their car park. The award allows them to display the coveted Park Mark Tick and they are listed on the internet of safer car parks via the British Parking Association website.

There are over 4000 parking facilities in the scheme nationally and there are currently 36 car parks across Norfolk who are members of the scheme providing crime resistant parking for their customers.

Norfolk Constabulary has two Park Mark Assessors who carry out the studies on the car parks accompanied by the Development Manager, Mike Bibby. Their contact details are:

• PC Gail Kevern 0845 456 4567
• PC Steve Gower 0845 456 4567
• Mr Mike Bibby 01322 469837

If you are interested in getting your car park the Park Mark Tick then please contact one of the above.

If you wish to know which car parks in Norfolk have the award visit Park Mark and put Norfolk in the search box.