NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED Hanley Police Station Bethesda Street Hanley Stoke-on-Trent Staffs ST1 3DR Alfia Cox Contact: David Elkington Senior Planning Officer Direct No: 01785 238514 Planning Policy & Development Control Email: david.elkington@ Staffs County Council staffordshire.pnn.police.uk Riverway Stafford Your Reference: SM.12/05 ST16 3TJ Date: 2nd July 2012 PROPOSAL: Erection of 2.4m high security fencing and gates LOCATION: Churnet View Middle School, Churnet View, Leek Thank you for the e-consultation notification recently received in relation to the above planning application. My comments should be considered in the light of the ODPM/Home Office document ‘Safer Places – The Planning System and Crime Prevention’, and in accordance with Section 17 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and Article 1 of Protocol 1 of the Human Rights Act 1998. Staffordshire Police are supportive of fencing and gating proposals aimed at reducing incidents of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour at this location. My comments remain those stated in my letter dated 4 th May 2012 addressed to the school bursar, Mrs Sam Burgess. However, it is worth reiterating a couple of points raised in that letter. Smooth topped gates do little to resist unauthorised intrusion. It is noted that the LockMaster gates have a variety of toppings available. It is unknown whether the school have opted for any. I would recommend that they consider the saw-tooth edge option, which would appear to be less overtly aggressive than the others indicated whilst providing a visual and physical deterrent. The LockMaster gating information provided makes mention of eliminating footholds. The provision of such is commonly the greatest failing with security gating. Attention to detail will be required to ensure that any gating provided at this location will avoid the inclusion of footholds. To this end, it is worth noting my initial final comment, that if offenders can not easily get out, they are usually less reluctant to enter in the first place, so climb-resistant features should apply both to the internal face of the gates as well as the external. Crime Prevention advice is given freely without the intention of creating a contract, and all comments and recommendations are site specific. Staffordshire Police and the Home Office do not accept any legal responsibility for the advice given. Yours sincerely David Elkington Architectural Liaison Officer NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED 1 .