DESIGNING out crime will be the focus of a major conference which will bring together more than 100 of North Yorkshire's architects, developers, housing chiefs and safety watchdogs next week.

The event, being held at the Angel Inn, at Topcliffe, near Thirsk, on Tuesday, has been organised by North Yorkshire Police's architectural liaison officers to look at ways that the police can work with partners to get crime-busting, safety-boosting measures included in new buildings and developments.

The police initiative, Secured By Design, which is aimed at encouraging the building industry to adopt crime prevention measures, will feature during the day.

Home Office research shows that when Secured By Design practices are designed in before building starts, the likelihood of burglary can be cut by more than 50 per cent.

Lectures by national experts will be complemented by displays by companies providing products to police-preferred specifications.

PC Steve Norman, architectural liaison officer, said: "This is a ground-breaking conference. If we are to make a substantial impact on reducing crime and the fear of crime, then it is essential to work with other groups who can make significant contributions."

Updated: 09:52 Friday, March 14, 2003