New homes security project wins award for police team

North Yorkshire Police architect liaison officers devised the scheme to impose the conditions when planning permission is granted.

It has been so successful that it is being adopted by councils across North Yorkshire.

The officers, PC Colin Musgrave and Detective Constable Steve Norman, submitted their project to the Secured by Design Innovation Awards run by Association of Chief Police Officers Crime Prevention Initiatives Ltd.

The project won a £5,000 prize.

PC Musgrave and DC Norman were presented with the cheque yesterday at North Yorkshire Police headquarters at Newby Wiske, Northallerton, by Richard Childs, the former Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police.

They plan to use the money to promote the initiative across the county.

The project was developed alongside officers from Harrogate Borough Council.

Councillors in Harrogate formally adopted the idea at the end of 2002.

It ensures that planning consent for new developments is conditional upon housebuilders incorporating Secured by Design principles in their properties.

Under the agreement, housebuilders need to show council officers that their development plans include adequate security measures.

They then need to demonstrate that the proposed measures have been implemented before the new owners take up residence.

The idea is now being promoted as best practice by councils across the county.

A similar condition has already been accepted by Hambleton District Council.

Scarborough Borough Council also used it on a sheltered housing scheme in its area.

Det Con Norman said: "We hope that the scheme will be adopted in other areas across the county. By working in close partnership with developers, architects and local authorities, we can make a significant impact, not only on the level of crime, but also the fear of crime.

"The £5,000 prize money will be used to promote our initiative so ultimately it is the general public who will benefit."