London Assembly to discuss designing out crime

The London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee is meeting to investigate the role of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) in the design of London’s communities, and the impact this role could have in safety design.

There is no statutory legislation requiring the police to be involved in the planning process, but the police could provide advice regarding safety in design for large-scale developments.

This type of guidance could lead to features like car parking and private areas being well lit, safety of public areas, secure and climb resistant fencing, and avoiding unnecessary alleyways.

Specialist police officers known as Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) liaise with architects, developers, and local authorities to implement crime prevention measures in the built environment.

Attendees at the meeting include Sergeant David Lucy, designing out crime officer, MPS;
Guy Ferguson, director/chief executive officer, Police Crime Prevention; Jules Pipe, deputy mayor for planning, regeneration and skills; and Lisa Fairmaner, Head of London Plan and Growth Strategies, Greater London Authority.