A NEW housing estate in Oxford has won an award for preventing crime.

CALA Homes received a Secured by Design (SBD) Gold Award from the Police Crime Prevention Initiative for its Wolvercote Mill development.

The estate was honoured with a Gold Award for the quality of the structure, fixtures and fittings on the homes.

CALA said it used 'prime and robust' materials, including metal within garage doors, cycle stores and bin stores, and 'SBD-accredited wood' for the front doors.

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The accreditation also extends to the fabric of the property, including external walls, as well as the garden boundaries, fences and walls.

SBD is the official police security initiative that works to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, work, shop and visit.

SBD’s product-based accreditation scheme – the Police Preferred Specification - provides a recognised standard for all security products that can deter and reduce crime.

New homes accredited with an SBD award typically see an 87 per cent reduction in burglaries.

Oxford Mail:

Miguel Fernandes, Technical Manager at CALA Homes Chiltern, said: “We are delighted that our Wolvercote Mill development has received a Secured by Design award for the quality of the security features at this sensitively-constructed development.

"Home security is an incredibly important factor for those considering their next house move, and it eases the minds of purchasers knowing they are buying into a secure and safe development.

“Wolvercote Mill offers an exciting opportunity for house hunters searching for their dream new home in a stunning area of Oxford.

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"As well as its demonstrable security benefits, the development also boasts a number of sustainable features, including electric charging points and cycle storage to every home, sustainable drainage systems and 832 solar panels installed across the site.”

Wolvercote Mill is home to a collection of 95 two, three and four-bedroom homes.