Housing projects at Creveul Court, Haldane, Aitkenbar and St Andrews were awarded Secured by Design Gold certification – recognising their design is helping provide safer neighbourhoods and reducing crime.

The award – the highest available in the scheme - acknowledges the measures taken to reduce the opportunity for crime and anti-social behaviour by improved layout, environmental design and the use of police preferred specification products.

The police initiative aims to improve the security of buildings and their immediate surroundings to provide safe places to live, work, shop and visit.

As part of the certification, a number of key factors are considered including the road layouts, position of dwellings, footpath design and lighting.

Physical security of the new homes is also considered, with each of the developments using Secure by Design certified doors and locking systems, and providing secure viewing panels at front and communal doors.

Additional features highlighted as part of the Gold award include laminated ground floor windows, appropriate storage for bicycles, and communal parking in smaller groups which are overlooked by well-used rooms in the surrounding homes.

Councillor Diane Docherty, convener of housing and communities, said: “Our tenants are our number one priority and the only way to ensure that they are comfortable and happy in their new homes is to ensure they also feel safe and secure.

“This Gold award recognises the careful and thoughtful planning undertaken when designing these new developments and will no doubt be of great comfort to the tenants as they move in.”

Councillor Ian Dickson, vice convener of housing and communities, added: “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home and immediate surroundings, and I am pleased that we have been recognised for the efforts we have made to ensure this is the case for our tenants.

“We have worked closely with the police to ensure these developments provide a secure place to live and visit, with reduced instances of crime. I am particularly impressed with the well-lit footpaths and spacious layout which will mean tenants can feel confident when travelling by foot. Well done to all involved in this achievement.”

The award was gained after working with Secure by Design’s trained ‘Designing Out Crime’ Officers before construction began, with officers on hand to provide advice and guidance until the developments are complete.