Thames Valley Police visited Newbury’s flagship sheltered housing complex this week to see how crime reduction designs at Carnarvon Place are helping older residents feel safer.

The 85 apartments in Andover Road, plus 15 part-buy apartments opposite, have both been awarded Secure by Design certification by Thames Valley Police. The award is given for developments offering safe, secure, high quality homes.

All are now occupied, and several older residents at Carnarvon Place have already remarked how much safer they feel, having moved from three separate outdated sheltered schemes nearby, where several had suffered burglaries.

Sovereign Development Manager Mark Evans said: “The Carnarvon residents told us they wanted to feel safer, so we worked closely with the police to build in crime prevention designs, such as cameras on the entryphone system, accredited door and window locks, appropriate boundary security features, and external lighting.”

Ch Insp Rodger Cartwright and Crime Prevention Adviser, Dave Stubbs, toured the £18m complex, and Thurlow Grange opposite, on Wednesday afternoon, before presenting certificates to Sovereign. They then discussed general crime issues with the older residents over tea and cakes.

Ch Insp Cartwright said afterwards: “ Carnarvon Place is a great example of how Secured by Design can help create a safer living environment. I hope that this complex will set the standard for any future developments in the area.

“Homes such as these are particularly important for people who feel vulnerable. The design will encourage people to have to confidence to live their lives without the unnecessary burden of fear.

“On a personal note, I support any initiative that makes it harder for criminals to operate in West Berkshire.”

Published 23 May 2007
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