“We’re helping to make people’s communities and homes safer from the start”

“We’re helping to make people’s communities and homes safer from the start”

Zoe Brown works in our Designing Out Crime Team. As a Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) she liaises with local authorities, developers, and architects to discuss how communities, buildings and homes can be made safer and help to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Most recently Zoe has been working with the developer Ernest Park, on the plans for the 492 home Market Square development in Basildon Town Centre.

When it’s completed the flats are likely house between 1,000 and 1,200 people.

Zoe and the team reviewed the developers plans and used crime analysis to inform their security recommendations. Some of the recommendations included security rated, third party tested window and doorsets, secure vehicle parking and cycle parking provision along with access control systems and implementing “security compartmentation”.

Security compartmentation means that residents and their visitors will only be able to access the areas they are meant to, such as the floor they live on and any assigned communal areas.

It also means general members of the public aren’t able to access floors or stairwells.

Zoe said: “Preventing crime can be achieved in new development during early design, which lessens the opportunity for crime long term and supports the sustainability of the building.

“It means people are safer in their homes and we lessen the impact on our resources.

“We know that in some developments where there are things like communal stairs and other areas that people who don’t live there can get access to, there can be issues with things like anti-social behaviour and drug dealing.

“By stopping people who shouldn’t be in the building from getting in, you can prevent some of those issues and give residents piece of mind.

“If you’re also ensuring only the people living on a certain floor can get access to it, everyone can be confident that the people walking past their front door has a reason to be there.

“We’ve built a really positive relationship with the developer, and they’ve been receptive to our recommendations.”

Zoe’s team also advise on aspects such as the technology and systems which allow this security to happen meet the right standard.

Developments that promote a sense of pride and ownership, are well managed and maintained, and are designed with security as a core consideration can substantially mitigate criminal opportunities.

Zoe said: “We’ve built a really positive relationship with the developer, and they’ve been receptive to our recommendations.”

“Safer communities are happier, more prosperous and cohesive and we want to ensure all our communities are safe, secure and enjoyable places to live.”

As well as the Market Square development in Basildon, they’re also working on developments around the county which will see thousands of new homes and town regeneration schemes come to life.

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