New windows cut crime

A recent study into the social impact of decent homes work has shown that brand new windows in council homes are helping to cut crime by 41 per cent.

The two - year study was carried out by Nottingham City Homes, in partnership with the Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University and looked at the social impact and health benefits of delivering a decent homes scheme across Nottingham – known locally as Secure Warm Modern.

The first part of the study focussed on two estates in Nottingham – the Bells Lane estate in Aspley and the Broxtowe estate. Its research centred on the fitting of ‘secured by design’ windows, and the effect this has had on levels of burglary in the area.

In 2008/09, the Broxtowe and Bells Lane estates were some of the first areas to have all their single glazed windows replaced with new double glazed units. The windows are ‘A’ rated for their thermal efficiency and meet ‘secured by design’ criteria, to help meet the Nottingham City Homes’ tenants’ call for secure homes.

The research aimed to find out whether homes really were more secure, and whether this prevented burglaries, as well as looking into the many other benefits of double glazing, such as warmer homes and better looking homes and estates.

It was carried out using burglary data provided by the Nottingham Crime and Drugs Partnership, as well as speaking to local residents, police officers, NCH officers and community workers.

The study found:
•Burglaries have reduced by 41 per cent on the two estates since the window programme was completed. This compares to a 21 per cent reduction across the city as a whole
•Council properties were more likely to be targets for burglary before the work was carried out. Since completion there are now 62 fewer burglaries per year to council homes, compared to 33 fewer burglaries to privately owned property on the estates.
•Fewer burglaries are taking place through a window in council properties where work has been completed. Burglars have less success of getting in through the new windows, and the level of burglaries via forced windows has halved
•Residents tell us they feel safer in their homes since the windows were replaced. They also find their home warmer and quieter with less condensation
•Residents and officers working in the area have noticed a difference on the estates- it looks cleaner, better and makes the area feel like it is valued.

Mark Johnson, director of property services at Nottingham City Homes, said: “Our window programme has been incredibly successful across the city. Not only has it been efficient and effective in terms of the quality and fitting, it has had a huge impact on people’s lives.

“It was important to carry out this study alongside Nottingham Trent University to make sure we understood the social and health benefits of such a scheme. We know fitting brand new windows improves the properties in the city’s housing stock, but understanding how this affects the people living in those properties is very important.

”I am so pleased that just this element of the programme has made such a difference to the lives of people living in the local area.”

Dr Néstor Valero-Silva, of Nottingham Business School, added: “This project highlights our commitment to contribute to the development of the city by working together with local organisations and local communities”.