Secured Environments is a police certification scheme awarded to organisations that can show they have adopted six key principles for protecting themselves against crime. The award promotes Best Practice in security within organisations by focusing on strategy, process and people.
The Secured Environments risk management scheme was launched on 12 April 2007 to promote good security practices in organisations by focusing on strategy, processes and people. It complements the existing ACPO-supported Secured by Design schemes.
Secured Environments assesses organisations to see if they have made security an inherent part of how they’re managed. If they pass the specified standards, organisations are certified as being secure by ACPO CPI and awarded the Police Secured Environments Certificate.
A key advantage of Secured Environments is that it helps organisations to think about their risks, and how to make the best use of security measures they already have in place.
The audit at Bath University
Feedback from the panel who conducted the audit in Bath showed that the university scored highly for its commitment to providing a secure environment, and for the way in which its security team is managed and run.
A delighted Brian Schofield, the head of security at Bath University, commented: “We are very proud to receive this national security award. We work very hard to ensure that all our staff and students can work, study and live in a safe and secure environment. This accreditation is just reward for all that effort, and will further boost the university’s standing both nationally and internationally as one of the safest places to study.”
Effective management procedures
The audit at Bristol highlighted the fact that the university had invested in effective processes and management in order to reduce crime and the fear of crime, and that much work had been done to provide a balanced approach to security.
Jerry Woods, the head of security at Bristol University, added: “After significant re-organisation within the Security Department over the last few years, and the hard work of all security staff to increase professionalism of the service we provide, I’m delighted that we are seen as making a difference to the many thousands of students and staff who study and work here. This award is a culmination of that effort.”
View from ACPO Secured by Design
Adding his comments, Alan McInnes – general manager of ACPO Secured by Design (which is owned by the Association of Chief Police Officers, and works in partnership with the Perpetuity Group to deliver Secured Environments) – said: “We are pleased Bath and Bristol Universities have achieved this award. It demonstrates to staff, students and potential students alike that the university authorities are committed to a safe and secure environment, not just on the day of accreditation, but as an important ongoing feature of management and university life.”
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