GMP wins ACPO innovation award

Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Design for Security consultancy has won the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Secured by Design Innovation prize of £10,000. The award recognises GMP’s pioneering work in providing crime prevention design advice to architects, planners and developers.

Design for Security is GMP’s in-house crime-prevention consultancy, which specialises in working with architects, local planners and developers to design buildings that remove criminal opportunities and reduce the risk of crime.

GMP is currently the only police force in the UK that uses this innovative process and it has been well received by its partners.

The Design for Security service has deterred criminals from shops and offices and led to improved security in apartments and houses.

Manchester City Council was the first planning authority in Greater Manchester to adopt the Crime Impact Statement process, but it has now rolled out to other local authorities in the area.
The development of this new way of working by GMP has drawn interest from other forces and councils across the country.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Seabridge said: “This is a unique example of the benefits of partnership working and illustrates what can be achieved through innovation and lateral thinking. The dedication and foresight of Design for Security with the support of the council has resulted in a ground-breaking process that has achieved huge benefits in crime prevention for Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester local authorities and the community.”