Secure By Design
Booklets from the government
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Secured by Design
Many burglaries are opportunist crimes. A burglar only needs to spot an open window or an unlocked door or gate to make their move.
Look at your home or business through the burglar's eyes. If you think your security looks poor, chances are so will a thief.
The good news is that it doesn't take much to improve security and put off thieves. Money spent on realistic security is a good investment; it will last a long time, can add value to your property, it can benefit your insurance cover and most of all give peace of mind that being a crime victim is not inevitable.
Secured by Design originally looked at new build and large scale refurbishment, achieving significant reductions in crime. This section brings the essence of SBD security to home owners and businesses. Where relevant we have linked sections to further information or to lists of companies that can supply a particular type of product meeting the standards.
Effective Security
Faced with a wide range of products it is often difficult to know how effective they are. It is true to say that given time, sophisticated power tools or inside information security may eventually be beaten. Good prevention denies the use of normally available tools, increases the risk for the thief perhaps by increasing the noise, effort and time to steal, or reduces the value to the thief.
To assist you make choices Secured by Design has identified a range of test standards that indicate products which are more likely to resist common forms of attack and therefore give better protection.
Our home page takes you to information on the standards and details of many of the companies that make products meeting these standards and who support this project.
Please note that Secured by Design does not guarantee the products, but offers a route to understanding and benefiting from the technical standards that indicate reasonable resilience to attack.
Security Checklist
Here's a quick reminder of some of the things you can do to improve the security around your home.
- If you replace a door it is better to buy a new "door set" certified to British Standard PAS 24-1 'Doors of Enhanced Security'.
- Glass panels on or around doors are especially vulnerable, so its worth replacing them with laminated glass.
- When buying a new patio door ask for the sliding section to be on the inside and for anti-lift blocks. Existing patio doors can be fitted with additional security bolts to stop lifting or forced entry.
- Mortise locks should be upgraded to 5-lever locks tested to BS: 3621. Rim locks should be tested to BS: 3621. Multi-point locking involves several hooks or bolts holding the door into the frame. The lock cylinders should be tested to BS EN 1303 Grade 3 and can be replaced.
- If you are replacing windows, take the opportunity to install windows certified to British Standard BS7950 Windows of Enhanced Security and consider using laminated glass in ground-floor and accessible windows such as those above a flat roof.
- Prevent easy access to the back and sides of your home by locked gates, 2 metre minimum fencing or walls. Trellis topping also makes climbing difficult.
- Security lighting should make offenders feel vulnerable and observed, should illuminate high risk areas and allow occupiers to see persons approaching.
- Fit strong padlocks and hardware to shed and garage doors, making sure that the doors are solid enough not to be kicked in and fit locks or bars to windows.
- Visibly and permanently marking your belongings will help you and the police identify them if they are stolen. It can make it difficult for the thief to dispose of the property and may provide the vital evidence for prosecution.
Choosing a Quality Supplier
Whilst the majority of those in the security industry provide a good service and quality products, there are those who overprice jobs, target older people with inappropriate security or sell products that may not be as secure as required. Use the following list to help you make choices and stay in control of the process. If in doubt do not buy or sign anything until you have sought advice.
Do's:
- Check your security against the information on our web site to decide where you think you need to improve.
- If your budget is limited deal with doors, locks, windows and perhaps a small safe for passport, jewellery and valuable documents before you embark on alarms and CCTV.
- Identify at least 2, preferably 3 companies that deal with the type of security you need so you can compare quality and price.
- Choose suppliers by recommendation from friends, companies whose products have the Secured by Design Police Preferred Specification logo, or are members of a nationally recognised organisation specialising in security. See useful contacts below.
- You may be able to install or replace some security yourself using good DIY skills and products that have passed technical standards and tests. Secured by Design pages explain these.
- Tell the supplier which areas of security you believe you should improve and ask for written quotes detailing the work to be done and the cost.
- If the firm suggests you need additional security, check to see if the other firms quoting suggest the same.
- For alarms and electronic security ask which parts of the system will be owned by you and if there is any future maintenance or monitoring charge. If you do not own the whole system and you cancel the maintenance contract you may lose protection.
- If you are uncertain about the company or what you are being offered ask a friend or relative to help. The Citizens Advice Bureau and Neighbourhood Watch are often aware of unreliable firms.
- Check identity before allowing strangers or installers into your home.
Don'ts:
- Discuss your security needs with door-step callers or telephone-sales staff.
- Agree to work unless a written quote is given detailing the work and cost.
- Disclose personal information, such as health problems, high risk items, such as jewellery, valuable stamp collections or artwork until you have decided on the security supplier AND you consider it necessary for security protection, such as requesting a safe or a special alarmed area.
- Go to your bank or cash machine with the installer / salesman to withdraw cash.
- Pay for all the work until the job is completed to your satisfaction.
Useful contacts:
British Security Industry Association (BSIA) for security companies
www.bsia.co.uk < http://www.bsia.co.uk >
Tel: 01905 21464
Master Locksmiths Association (MLA) for Locks and Hardware
www.locksmiths.co.uk/mla < http://www.locksmiths.co.uk/mla >
Tel: 01327 262 255
National Security Systems Inspectorate (NSI) for Alarms & CCTV
www.nsi.org.uk < http://www.nsi.org.uk >
Tel: 01628 637512
Security Systems & Alarms Inspection Board (SSAIB) for Alarms & CCTV
www.ssaib.co.uk < http://www.ssaib.co.uk >
Tel: 0191 296 3242