What Secured by Design does

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official UK police security initiative, founded in 1989 and operated by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Limited on behalf of the UK Police Service. SBD administers the Police Preferred Specification accreditation scheme, under which member companies' security products are independently tested by UKAS-accredited certification bodies (BSI, Sold Secure, LPCB, Kiwa SCM) and, on meeting standards, gain the right to use the 'Police Preferred Specification' mark. The scheme covers more than 30 crime prevention categories including doors, windows, locks, fencing, CCTV, alarms, cycle and vehicle security, smart home IoT, perimeter protection, and counter-terrorism products. Over 800 member companies hold accreditation, and the initiative maintains a national network of more than 200 Designing Out Crime Officers (DOCOs) embedded in all 43 UK police forces, who work directly with architects, developers, local authorities, and housing associations at the design stage.

SBD's underlying methodology combines Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) with product accreditation standards, codified in Design Guides that are referenced in the National Planning Policy Framework and the National Model Design Code. Beyond product accreditation, the initiative provides design guidance for residential, commercial, healthcare, educational, and transport developments; the Sanctuary Scheme for domestic abuse victims; the ATLAS Awards programme; SBD National Building Approval (NBA) for large-scale developments; and an SCD cyber security accreditation track aligned with the UK Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act. The 200+ DOCO network functions as a free specification intermediary between architects/developers and SBD member products.

SBD operates as a not-for-profit, generating revenue through membership fees (multi-year contracts, pricing determined individually by regional Development Officers) and through the National Building Approval professional service for large developments. The organisation is owned by the UK Police Service, has no external investors, and delivers crime reduction services at no cost to the public purse. Academic studies have measured up to 87% reduction in volume crime and up to 91% reduction in burglary in developments adopting SBD standards. Headcount is small (11-50 employees), with field operations executed through a regionally distributed Development Officer network.

Name

Secured by Design

Legal name

Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Limited

Website

https://securedbydesign.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Secured by Design is the UK police-owned, not-for-profit accreditation initiative that certifies security products across 30+ crime categories through its Police Preferred Specification scheme, serving 800+ member manufacturers with the backing of all 43 UK police forces and a national network of 200+ specialist officers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Security Product Accreditation

akta.pro primary industry

Safety Compliance, Audits & Risk Assessments (Security Assessments, CPTED) (EDAEACAN)

Keywords

• Police security accreditation
• Crime prevention design
• Security product certification
• Physical security standards
• Building security compliance

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: SBD operates as a not-for-profit organisation delivering significant crime reductions to local communities at no cost to the Police Service or public purse. Revenue is generated through membership fees from security product manufacturers and companies seeking Police Preferred Specification accreditation. Development Officers discuss membership costs with prospective members on an individual basis.
2. SBD National Building Approval (NBA): A service for large-scale building projects that provides streamlined approval for developments meeting SBD standards, potentially saving time and costs for developers and builders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official UK police security initiative that operates a Police Preferred Specification accreditation scheme for security-related products and a certification programme for building developments. It accredits products across 30+ crime prevention categories and offers design guidance, development awards, and training services to security product manufacturers, architects, developers, and housing associations.

Product overview

Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative operated by UK Policing that provides accreditation for security-related products through its Police Preferred Specification scheme. Rather than a single software product, SBD operates as a certification and membership organization that validates products from member companies across 30+ crime categories including doors, windows, locks, bicycle security, vehicle security, perimeter security, smart home security, and IoT devices. The portfolio includes physical security products from manufacturers like ASSA ABLOY (Yale, Abloy, Mul-T-Lock, Door Group), The Bike Storage Company (cycle storage), BevGARDien (anti-spiking drinks covers), Purple Line (vehicle security), DefendaStrip (perimeter security), and CRNO (digital watch identification). SBD also provides design guidance, development awards, and training services to architects, developers, and law enforcement. Member companies must have products certified by UKAS-accredited certification bodies before achieving Police Preferred Specification accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Police Preferred Specification Accreditation Product-based accreditation scheme providing a recognised standard for all security products that effectively deter and reduce crime. Available only to SBD member companies whose products have been rigorously tested and certified by independent UKAS-accredited third-party certification bodies. Covers 30+ crime prevention categories including doors, windows, locks, fencing, CCTV, alarms, bicycle security, vehicle security, perimeter protection, and IoT devices.
• SBD Developers Award Award scheme recognising developments that incorporate SBD crime prevention standards across residential, education, healthcare, transport, commercial, retail, sport, and leisure building sectors. Provides formal police recognition for developers who build to SBD security standards.
• SBD National Building Approval (NBA) Professional service for large-scale building projects providing streamlined approval for developments meeting SBD standards. Reduces administrative burden for developers and builders by centralising compliance verification.
• Sanctuary Scheme Initiative protecting victims of domestic abuse in their own homes through SBD Sanctuary Safe Rooms featuring security measures that delay unlawful entry and allow time for emergency services to arrive.
• Design Guides Authoritative design guidance assisting the building, design, and construction industry to incorporate security into developments to comply with Building Regulations in England, Scotland, and Wales. Updated periodically to reflect product innovation, new technology, and changing patterns of criminal behaviour.
• Secure Connected Device (SCD) Accreditation Cyber security accreditation for IoT and connected devices ensuring compliance with recognised security standards including ETSI EN 303 645 and OWASP IoT Top 10. Helps member companies demonstrate their products meet the requirements of the UK Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure (PSTI) Act.
• Police Crime Prevention Academy (Learning & Development) Training and professional development services ensuring Police Officers and Staff undertaking Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO) roles are suitably qualified. Provides access to the NPCC Continuing Professional Development programme and CPD presentations to built environment professionals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduce volume crime within the built environment by up to 87%
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSBD is included within the National Model Design Code issued by MHCLG, recognising that the initiative reduces crime and impacts building strong communities. SBD works with Government to embed crime prevention into the planning process.
• National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn October 2021, the NPCC unanimously designated the DOCO role as a specialist police role in direct recognition of their highly specialised skills and critical impact on reducing crime. Police CPI's Crime Prevention Academy ensures officers are suitably qualified.
• Police Forces (43+ across UK)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll 43 police forces in England and Wales, plus separate forces in Scotland and Northern Ireland, recommend SBD member companies and signpost customers to the SBD website. Each force has specially trained DOCOs providing free crime prevention advice.
• United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)coreTechnology or IntegrationProducts like doors and windows must be certified by a UKAS certification body before being considered for SBD's Police Preferred Specification. This ensures rigorous independent testing and ongoing production audits.
• Police Crime Prevention Academy (PCPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of Police CPI, the Academy is responsible for ensuring Police Officers and Staff undertaking DOCO roles are suitably qualified and have opportunity to engage in the NPCC Continuing Professional Development programme.
• Local Authorities and Housing AssociationsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDOCOs work closely with registered housing associations and local authorities to incorporate SBD crime prevention standards into new buildings and major refurbishments from initial concept through construction.
• Standards and Certification BodiescoreTechnology or IntegrationSBD works with standards and certification bodies including BSI, Sold Secure, LPCB, and others to ensure security standards are current and updated to keep pace with emerging crime trends.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IASME: UK-based cyber security certification body offering IASME Cyber Assurance, IoT Cyber Assurance, and Cyber Essentials certifications. IASME operates in the same UK accreditation landscape as SBD's growing Cyber Security initiative and SCD compliance work.
• NSI (National Security Inspectorate): UK certification body for security and fire safety service providers, auditing companies that install and maintain security systems. NSI overlaps with SBD's mission of validating security providers, though it focuses on installation companies rather than product manufacturers.
• SSAIB (Security Systems and Alarms Inspection Board): UK certification body for security system installers and providers across electronic security, fire, and alarm sectors. SSAIB operates in the same UK security certification landscape as SBD, with overlapping member bases in alarm and electronic security providers.
• Master Locksmiths Association: UK trade association for locksmiths that sets standards and certifies locksmiths and security products. MLA operates in adjacent security accreditation space and shares overlap with SBD's lock and cylinder accreditation categories (e.g., Mul-T-Lock, Yale).
• LPCB (Loss Prevention Certification Board): Operates by BRE (Building Research Establishment) to certify burglary-resistant building components and security products under LPS standards (LPS 1175, LPS 1654). LPCB certifications underpin many SBD-accredited products (e.g., ASSA ABLOY doorsets, Abloy padlocks), making it a closely linked certification peer.
• Sold Secure: UK-based product certification body for mechanical security products including pedal cycles, motorbikes, and padlocks. Sold Secure provides the underlying independent testing (Silver/Gold/Diamond ratings) that SBD's Police Preferred Specification often references, making it a closely linked accreditation peer.
• Kiwa: International testing, inspection, and certification body that issues SCM accreditations for caravan, trailer, and vehicle security products (e.g., Purple Line's Fullstop range). Kiwa's vehicle security certifications are referenced alongside SBD's Police Preferred Specification, making it a peer in product certification.

Others

• Secured Environments: A related Police CPI group initiative focused on environmental security and design. Shares parent organisation with SBD and operates in adjacent police-backed crime prevention space, though with a different operational focus.
• Police Security Systems: A related Police CPI group initiative that operates the NPCC Security Systems Policy for alarms. While not a direct competitor, it shares parent organization (Police CPI) and adjacent police-backed security accreditation scope with SBD.

Broad incumbents

• BSI (British Standards Institution): UK national standards body issuing British Standards (BS) and operating Kitemark certification across a wide range of products including security, IoT, and construction. BSI's standards and certifications (e.g., BSI Kitemark, IoT Kitemark) are referenced in SBD-accredited products, but BSI operates on a much broader commercial scale than SBD's crime-prevention focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/securedbydesign

Compliance31 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Secured by Design