We’re delighted to announce that we’ve become members of Secured by Design, accrediting and recognising that our Defender Xtreme security door provides an effective measure in preventing and reducing crime.

The scheme is acknowledged by the UK Police, Home Office and a number of local authorities, and is part of a long established national project which focusses on the design and security of new and refurbished homes, commercial premises and car parks.

The seal of approval

Membership allows us to make use of police branding and in particular, the slogan “Police Preferred Specification”, which is often seen as an important and prestigious industry seal of approval. As well as that, it’s also a way of differentiating between the recently introduced Approved Document Q security regulation.

Our membership allows police forces to recommend us and our Secured by Design product to home owners, commercial property owners, architects and housing associations who are looking to strengthen their premises’ security. We will also be a listed member on their site, providing further reassurance that our product has been put to the test and passed with flying colours.

What’s required

In order to become a Secured by Design member, companies must produce security products that pass certified standards and independent tests, as nominated by the police service. The standards and related tests must demonstrate product effectiveness in preventing or reducing crime, usually by resistance to physical attack and other common burglary methods.

This is not a simple process and is reserved only for products that provide the highest possible security measures. Our Defender Xtreme range is now Secured by Design, joining our other standards and accreditations such as CE Marking, ISO 9001 and BS 476 (fire doors), in ensuring we deliver a first class security product that meets our customers’ requirements, on time, every time.

Metador’s Managing Director, Simon Evershed said: “We are pleased to announce that we are now a member of Secured by Design, the flagship UK police initiative to help ‘design out’ crime through the use of high-quality, innovative products and processes.

“This is a great move forward for us in our company in the development of our Metador Defender Xtreme doorset, which had to adhere to rigorous test standards required by the police to achieve the prestigious Secured by Design status.”

The effect on home owners and commercial property owners

Secured by Design supports the principles of ‘designing out crime’ through physical security and processes, and aims to place as many security enhanced products into as many buildings as possible. The scheme works with the industry and tests properties to create high level security standards, responding to trends in crime and providing input on a number of key areas.

The principles of the scheme have been statistically proven to reduce the risk and the fear of crime:

• Secured by Design developments (those using products and materials that meet Secured by Design Standards) are up to 75% less likely to be burgled and show a reduction of 25% in criminal damage.
• The Association of British Insurers has estimated that the introduction of Secured by Design standards across the UK would bring more than £3.2 billion worth of savings to the economy over 20 years.
• SBD installation pays for itself in at the most two years in saved costs of crime, with two alternative methods of measurement suggesting shorter periods of as little as eight months.
• The London 2012 Olympic Park and the 2014 Commonwealth Games Village were both awarded full Secured by Design status.

Being burgled is many people’s biggest fear, and the thought of someone routing through your personal property or stealing your business assets is enough to lead to sleepless nights and worrying anxiety. The majority of burglaries take place by breaking into the property through a door, either by forcing the lock or kicking it in, so making sure your doors are strong and secure is vital! For home owners, business owners and housing associations, ensuring your property is built with a Secured by Design product provides safety reassurance and security peace of mind.

To find out more about our Secured by Design accredited Defender Xtreme, please get in touch. We’re always happy to discuss time frames and advise on requirements and specifications.

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