110038

20th August 2018

The Secretary Planning Committee Department of Local Government and the Environment Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas

Dear Madam,

Re: Planning Application 18/00816/C

This application pertains to a proposed additional use of school car parks for the parking of minibuses (retrospective).

I am a Home Office accredited Architectural Liaison Officer, having received training in this field at the Crime Reduction College. Architectural Liaison Officers receive specialist training in criminology and crime reduction strategies. It is my role to advise Developers, Architects and Planners on developing the built environment in order to reduce opportunities for crime and disorder. This includes the widely accepted multi-disciplinary approach to crime prevention known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. CPTED acknowledges that the design of the built environment can influence crime patterns and trends by either creating, or reducing, opportunities for criminal behaviour and public disorder. There are a number of accepted principles in relation to CPTED which include anonymity and surveillance.

Examination of the said application raises some concerns. I object to this application on the grounds stated and I respectfully requested these be considered and made as part of the application:

1. The parking of these vehicles will be out of hours and left with no capable guardian during the hours of darkness by this very nature these expensive mini buses will be vulnerable to criminal damage. Theft of road fuel has increased over recent years on commercial vehicles parked in remote areas. I have visited the School and note some CCTV is present this mainly concentrates on the buildings rather than car park there is minimal lighting this will reduce the chances of offenders being caught. Larger towns already have provisions for bus parking bespoke CCTV and lighting and therefore in my professional opinion these are fit for purpose and should be used.

Yours faithfully,

Police Constable 22 Robert Midghall Crime Reduction Office & Architectural Liaison Officer