MELVILLE Housing Association has achieved a Secured by Design (SBD) Gold Award for its development at Oak Place in Mayfield.
The award, from the national police crime prevention initiative, recognises the crime prevention techniques incorporated into the layout and landscaping, as well as the physical security of the properties.
An SBD-trained designing out crime officer (DOCO) worked with the design team and contractor Lovell Partnerships, from the planning stages through to construction to incorporate SBD crime prevention techniques and security into the development.
These measures included creating natural surveillance from the properties over parking areas and access routes, through to the doors, windows, and locks which meet police preferred specification standards.
Over the past three decades, numerous research projects have highlighted the effectiveness of properties built or refurbished to SBD standards in deterring crime. A review of nine studies in 2024 revealed that developments certified by SBD experienced, on average, 65% fewer burglaries compared to those not built to the same standards. One study showcased an even greater impact, demonstrating an 87% reduction in overall crime and a 91% decrease in burglaries within SBD-compliant properties.
Stuart Ward, Police Scotland national designing out crime manager, said, “These properties designed to SBD specifications offer a higher standard of security compared to most residential properties and the site will reduce significantly the risk of crime and anti-social behaviour. The inclusion of SBD measures at the design stage by Police, architects and developers ensures an improved level of security for properties before they are built. SBD is the only long term crime reduction initiative which can impact on reducing opportunist crime through the lifetime of a building.”
Superintendent Alan Carson, Lothians and Scottish Borders division of Police Scotland, who presented the SBD accreditation, added, “I am delighted to be presenting this award which recognises the measures included by the architects and developers from the early design stages to ensure the long-term security and safety for residents of these properties. These measures have benefits for the wider community because Police will be far less likely to have to investigate property crime in these dwellings, which reduces the demand on Police and associated services. I commend all the project members from Melville Housing Association and Lovell Partnerships for their support and adherence to this UK national police crime prevention initiative.”
Richard Murdoch, head of asset management at Melville Housing Association, who received the award, said, “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award which gives us confidence in the security of our new properties in Dalkeith. The design of the development is contemporary while retaining local character. It fits nicely into the surrounding area.”
Neil Edgar, development manager from Melville Housing, commented, “We are happy the design has been able to accommodate the security recommendations without affecting the architectural style of these homes. We extend our gratitude to the design team and contractors at Lovells for delivering these high quality homes for rent in this area.”
