Secured by Design secured

The Veka UK Group has been awarded membership once again of Secured by Design (SBD) for its Veka and Halo brands.

Mark Barsby, accreditation manager of The Veka UK Group, said: “Designing out crime means that security features are incorporated within products during the design and development stage, rather than being an ‘add on’ to the finished product.

“Veka and Halo have always taken this approach, with security, style and energy efficiency being primary concerns at the concept stage of a new product development. Our SBD ‘licence’ and display of the SBD logo helps us to illustrate to customers and specifiers our commitment to this initiative.

“Since Part Q of the Building Regulations came into effect in England in October 2015, we are seeing increasing relevance for enhanced security standards, particularly PAS 24. SBD plays a significant part in marking out those companies, like The Veka UK Group, that go above and beyond when it comes to security.”

SBD developments (those using products and materials that meet SBD Standards) are up to 75% less likely to be burgled and show a reduction of 25% in criminal damage compared to non-SBD sites.

The Association of British Insurers has estimated that the introduction of SBD standards across the UK would bring more than £3.2 billion worth of savings to the economy over 20 years.

“With government White Papers on the housing market coming to the fore, and potential incentives emerging for the new build sector, we are very likely to see new housing developments in the near future that will likely list an SBD requirement as part of the specification process,” Mark said.