Impact case study database

The research described in this case study has impacted police and planning policy and practice, prevented residential burglary and reduced the economic and social costs of crime in the UK and the United Emirates, by ensuring that new dwellings are designed using features that reduce the likelihood of crime.

The impacts are in three areas:

1. Influencing planning policy and building regulations

2. Helping residents reduce the likelihood of burglary

3. Influencing police training and delivery

Influencing planning policy and building regulations

The research findings [R1] confirmed SBD, the official police security initiative that aims to design out crime, is an effective crime prevention measure. They also played a key role in influencing UK building regulations to include SBD, or other enhanced security standards. Half a million homes (44% of those built) were built to the SBD standard between 2013 and 2017. Since these homes experience 55% less crime than non-SBD, this has led to a significant reduction in crimes experienced in the UK.

Over the years, the future of SBD has been threatened by prevailing government policy. The 2012 Taylor Review of Housing Standards encouraged a UK government drive to reduce regulation within the planning system. In response Armitage coordinated a letter, published in The Times, (Oct 2013) that was signed by 69 leading national and international academics, each supporting the link between deregulation and increased future crime rates.

Comments in the House of Lords, debating the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill (Oct 2013), [T2] raised and reiterated these concerns, citing UoH research. Following prolonged debate, the government announced that the proposed deregulation would not be implemented, and that building regulations in England and Wales would, in fact, include security standards for the first time.

The link between the research [R1, 2] and the introduction of the new building regulations is made clear by the PCPI Senior Technical Officer [T3], who noted that UoH is cited in official government planning documents: “In both [Approved Document Q for England and Wales] SBD is explicitly referenced…such declarations would not be possible had it not been for the direct efforts of [UoH]… Without doubt, our negotiating position was stronger as a consequence of our ability to make use of [the] research findings”.

Similarly the PCPI Chief Operating Officer stated: “ The Housing Standards Review (England)..was particularly challenging. The government of the time had set itself a ‘Red Tape Challenge’ to reduce government regulation [..]; Secured by Design was caught up in the process (all Social Housing in England at that time had to meet parts of SBD guidance). Our advantage however was that we had access to your independent evaluation of SBD and we used it to present a compelling case [..]. In March 2015, the only new Building Regulation to emerge from the HSR was Part Q: Security – Dwellings. This was an unprecedented move by the government of the time…and there should be no doubt that your research formed a major part of our submission” [T1].

England and Wales introduced ‘security’ into building regulations in 2015 and 2018 respectively. Scottish building regulations go further, specifically referencing SBD “ as a proven means of meeting the requirements of the regulation”. With reference to Wales, we read: “…once again the academic research that you [Armitage] have done [..] formed the basis of our report. In May 2018 Part Q: Security – Dwellings (Wales) was published”. The influence on Scottish building regulations is as crucial: “Again, the research [..] was a pivotal piece of the evidence considered by the Scottish Government” [T1] .

The research [R1, 2, 3] has also influenced national and local planning policy. The existence of independent research that demonstrated the crime reduction benefits of SBD and associated design principles strengthened the case for its inclusion in planning policies and thus increased the number of homes built to this standard [T1]. It also influenced police crime prevention policy. The National Police Chief’s Council Lead for Crime Prevention stated: “ Research conducted by the UoH has been influential in shaping the design of crime prevention policy and practice across the UK” [T4].

The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner cited UoH research in their formal response to City of Wolverhampton Council’s Area Action Plan [T6] stipulating that any new development must be built to the SBD standard [R1]. Other examples include Birmingham Council which requires all housing stock (Birmingham Municipal Housing Trust) to be built to the SBD standard, where it is specified in not only its ‘House Types Catalogue’ (2018), but also in client specifications for anyone tendering for development. Birmingham City Council’s Senior Service Manager [T5] confirmed the importance of UoH’s research in informing their decision to require new homes to be built to SBD standards: “We rely on feedback from both tenants and owners, but also the role of academia, for example the research conducted by the University of Huddersfield”.

The research [R1] has been referenced in SBD’s ‘New Homes’ standard in every iteration since 2013 as evidence of the effectiveness of the scheme. As the Senior Technical Officer for Police Crime prevention highlighted: “ We produce a range of designing out crime guides, SBD Homes being in highest demand. We include specific reference to [the] 2009 SBD research…Our [..] 2019 guide carries an acknowledgement to Professor Armitage” [T3].

The reputation of the UoH team resulted in the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council funding research [R6] to help them introduce an integrated development process and assist with the production of its first crime prevention planning guide – the Abu Dhabi Safety and Security Planning Manual (SSPM). Since 2013 the SSPM has ensured that all new buildings constructed have adhered to CPTED principles.

Helping residents reduce the likelihood of burglary

The research [R1, 2] has formed the basis of resident-focused leaflets that provide guidance on how to avoid burglary victimisation, or repeat victimisation (for those who have been burgled). Research conducted with West Yorkshire Police [R3] formed the basis of the PCPI ‘Crime Prevention Handbook’, in particular the section: ‘How do Burglars Choose a Home’? The handbook is distributed to all UK police forces. The National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Crime Prevention [T4] states: “ Your research, which has contributed to key content in the ‘Yellow Book’ – a crime prevention guide which is produced by PCPI and is currently widely distributed across the UK, shows how your contribution in this area assists me in embedding the National Crime Prevention Strategy”.

The content of the Victim Support ‘How to Protect Your Property’ handbook which is given out on a daily basis to victims of burglary across the UK was informed by the research [R3]. The Operations Manager for Victim Support stated: “ When it came to information for our ‘How to Protect Your Property’ leaflet, we wanted to ensure that [it included] information gained from research carried out with offenders”. The UoH findings meant Victim Support were able to include direct quotes from offenders on how to mitigate risk. She added: “The leaflet was very easy to understand, but very impactful” [T7].

Influencing police training and delivery

The research [R4, 5] influenced the development of the new Police Crime Prevention Training Academy (2017). The head of the Academy stated that it influenced the decision to establish the organisation, which formalised qualifications and increased police credibility within the designing out crime sector: “DOCOs are in frequent contact with highly qualified professionals such as planners and architects. [The] research highlighted the need for qualifications rather than traditional police training.” Research on training needs allowed the content of the new qualifications to be tailored and formed the basis of much of it. “The research [..] was essential evidence that we used to support the material that we were teaching” [T8].

West Yorkshire Police used the research [R4, 5] to inform training packages for police (Special Constables, PCSOs, Constables and Sergeants) and key partners (Fire and Rescue, Local Authority Housing Officers). The Force Crime Prevention Officer for West Yorkshire Police stated: “ Problem solving masterclasses alone have reached an audience of approximately 1000-1200 Officers. Every West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue crew have also received an input on crime prevention [..], the foundation of which was the burglary research. This training was delivered to approximately 60 crews, equating to around 900 Officers” [T9].

The research [R1, 2, 3] directly informed the allocation of the Home Office Safer Streets Fund (£25 million) to police forces across England and Wales and influenced the interventions toolkit used to evaluate funding allocations. Over 90% of the successful bids opted to implement designing out crime/CPTED based interventions. As the Home Office Neighbourhood Crime Unit highlighted: “ [The] research has played an invaluable role in both the development and delivery of the Safer Streets Fund…Following initial conversations at the Burglary Taskforce, Professor Armitage was invited to sit on the Safer Streets expert group which oversaw the development of a crime prevention toolkit to help provide Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) with evidence and information on effective interventions. [The] research heavily featured in this toolkit [..] this resource was well-used by PCCs and directly supported them in the bidding process” [T10].