Secured environments is a new risk management scheme that was launched earlier this year by the association of chief police officers crime prevention initiatives and Perpetuity group, a spin-out company from the University of Leicester. It promotes good security practice in organisations by focusing on strategy, process and people.

To achieve the award, Church hill primary school reviewed their security measures, including their procedures, processes and staff responses to ensure that they were in line with the six Secured environments principles of commitment, understanding, responding, management, implementation and evaluation.

After a Secured environments audit involving a thorough inspection of the site, it was agreed that the school met the principles and could be awarded the Secured environments certification.

"The Secured environments award demonstrates Church hill primary school's commitment to maintaining a long-term, quality, risk-managed approach to crime" comments Alan McInnes, senior representative, ACPO CPI.

"Everyone at Church hill primary is extremely pleased about the award. The school's governors have been very concerned about security issues which they felt weren't taken seriously enough. Achieving this Secured environments award has made them feel security is being taken seriously. They have also realised security can be low key yet effective, building a fortress isn't always the best or most effective strategy" says Rebecca Mottershead, head of Church hill primary school.

The UK's first Secured environments award ceremony will be held at 9 am on 5 June at Church hill primary school, Burlington Rise, East Barnet, where the head will be awarded the school's certificate from a senior Metropolitan police officer.