Support

Representation ID: 8508

Received: 02/09/2021

Respondent: Bedfordshire Police

BP welcome and support the references to growth being supported by appropriate infrastructure and
designed to create safer places. However, the Vision would benefit from a much clearer commitment
to creating a safe, secure and low crime environment for all in the Borough. This would ensure
consistency with the following:
 Paragraphs 8, 20, 35-37, 92 (b), 97 and 130 (f) of the National Planning Policy Framework (July
2021) (NPPF);
 Bedford Borough’s Sustainable Community Strategy 2009-2021 – Section 5; and
 Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (as amended).
In view of the above, BP propose the following amendments to the Vision:
Good design and supporting infrastructure will help to improve quality of life and to create safer,
more secure, low crime, vibrant and more sustainable places, both in the urban area of Bedford and
Kempston and in the surrounding village communities.
Theme 4: Better places – Page 14
Although BP welcome the aim of creating a safe built environment, it would be significantly
strengthened through direct references to Secured by Design and reducing crime. In doing so, it would
being Theme 4 into much closer alignment with:
 Paragraphs 8, 20, 35-37, 92 (b), 97 and 130 (f) of the National Planning Policy Framework (July
2021) (NPPF);
 Bedford Borough’s Sustainable Community Strategy 2009-2021 – Section 5; and
 Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (as amended).
Furthermore, National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) is very clear that:
‘Planning provides an important opportunity to consider the security of the built environment, those
that live and work in it and the services it provides.
Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 (as amended) requires all local, joint and combined
authorities (as well as National Parks, the Broads Authority and the Greater London Authority) to
exercise their functions with due regard to their likely effect on crime and disorder, and to do all
they reasonably can to prevent crime and disorder. Crime for these purposes includes terrorism.’
Paragraph: 009 Reference ID: 53-009-20190722
Revision date: 22 07 2019
‘Good design that considers security as an intrinsic part of a masterplan or individual development
can help achieve places that are safe as well as attractive, which function well, and which do not
need subsequent work to achieve or improve resilience. However good security is not only about
physical measures and design, it requires risks and mitigation to be considered in a holistic way…
‘Good design means a wide range of crimes from theft to terrorism are less likely to happen by
making committing those crimes more difficult.’
Paragraph: 010 Reference ID: 53-010-20190722
Revision date: 22 07 2019
This has been expanded on by the National Model Design Code (July 2021) (Parts 1 and 2), which makes
the following points:
 Page 32 – Paragraph 63 (iv) – Safety and Security – ‘All schemes should aim to create a safe and
secure environment and provide a sense of security for all users. Where development is for or
has potential for a significant concentration of people schemes should also consider appropriate
and proportionate security measures.’
 Page 61 – Paragraph 144 – Secured by Design – ‘Neighbourhoods need to be designed to make
all people feel safe and to reduce the incidents of crime in accordance with the recommendations
of Secured by Design which includes guidance for housing, commercial space, schools, hospitals
and sheltered accommodation. Support and advice is available from the police through a network of Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) across the UK. Secured by Design advice
incorporates proven crime prevention techniques and measures into the layout and design of
places and spaces.
In view of all of the above, BP requests that the following amendments be made to Theme 4:
‘Theme 4: Better Places – Developing high quality, well-designed, beautiful, safe and low crime
places for all to use and enjoy.
Objectives:
Support and create a high quality, inclusive and safe built environment that values local landscapes
and settlement character. This environment will experience low incidences of crime through the
application of Secured by Design. It will also be one where the historic environment is conserved
and enhanced to enable enjoyment by all.