Kevin Hook of the Metropolitan Police Service has been presented with the ATLAS Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of over a decade of outstanding service and commitment as a Designing Out Crime Officer (DOCO).
Hook began his policing career in September 2003 with the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), serving on the front line for eight years before transitioning into the world of crime prevention.
He quickly became immersed in the field, first as a Crime Prevention Officer in 2011, then as a Crime Prevention Design Advisor in 2012 and finally joining the newly established MPS DOCO team in September 2012, where he became one of its foundational members.
Over his 13-year career in Designing Out Crime, Hook is said to have delivered a volume and quality of work that speaks for itself.
He issued Secured by Design (SBD) certification for 17,896 residential units and over 712,000 square metres of commercial space.
In addition, he reportedly laid substantial groundwork of developments on track to meet SbD certification, including 25,597 residential units and over 1.2 million square metres of commercial/retail space.
His influence reportedly goes far beyond certification. Hook completed over 780 planning responses, conducted 116 Counter Terrorism Security Adviser (CTSA) referrals, and carried out 155 Environmental Visual Audits (EVAs), generating more than 465,000 words of observations and recommendations to shape safer, more secure environments.
During his time in the role, Hook was also among the first DOCOs in London to successfully secure blanket SBD planning conditions, not only for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets where he was lead DOCO, but potentially the first of its kind anywhere in the country.
This work laid the groundwork for embedding crime prevention principles at the earliest stages of development.
His leadership and excellence in the role were formally recognised in 2023 when he received the prestigious Bob Knights DOCO of the Year Award.
According to the MSPS, Hook’s success has been underpinned by exceptional time management, an in-depth understanding of SbD principles, persuasive negotiation skills and a strong commitment to collaborative working with local authorities and partners.
The result has been a demonstrable reduction in crime, anti-social behaviour and policing demand in the areas he has supported.
Now promoted to the rank of Sergeant, Hook has made the difficult decision to return to frontline policing, but leaves behind an exceptional legacy in the field of crime prevention.
On receiving the award, Hook said: “I have been privileged to work in one of the most important and yet internally underrated areas of policing, and it was with great reluctance that I have moved on.
“Dealing with architects, developers and local planning teams, the DOCOs ensure that a proactive security and safety strategy is in place for all new build and many proposed refurbishment developments pre-planning.
“In doing so, they are raising the standards of the built environment by enhancing security measures, resulting in a better quality of living and safer working environment by reducing crime and the fear of crime held by the public.
“By ensuring success is shared through social media and advertising increases trust in the police service at a time when it is low.
“With so many other strands also covered including Park Mark, Places of Worship, Sanctuary Scheme and Op Bridger, as well as supporting local policing teams with EVAs, this is an area which also generates funding through various streams assisting with the costs of modern day policing further still.
“I would like to thank all of my colleagues both past and present who I have worked with in what is a very challenging, but also a very rewarding role.”
Guy Ferguson, CEO, Police Crime Prevention Initiatives commented: “Kevin Hook’s contribution to crime prevention and Secured by Design over more than a decade has been truly outstanding.
“His dedication, innovation and leadership have helped transform planning and development practice in London.
“The impact of his work will be felt for years to come in the safer, more secure environments he helped create.
“Kevin exemplifies what it means to be a Designing Out Crime Officer, and we thank him sincerely for his service.”
