Dawnus housing developers build a new housing development in Llandarcy in South Wales. The company opted to incorporate Secured by Design guidelines by not having letterflaps in the doors and having mailboxes next to the doors entrance.

The Eurobox was chosen for the domestic dwellings and different polyester powder coated RAL colours were used to suit the differing styles of houses on the development.

Dawnus were extremely happy with the overall practicality and aesthetic finish of the mailboxes which complimented the sites design and increased homeowner security resulting from them complying with the Secured by Design guidelines.

Entrance doors are the first line of defence in protecting any property and many homes and commercial premises have a letterbox in the front or back of the door of the property for receiving postal items. The letterbox is the only part of the property that is ‘open’ 24 hours a day; presenting a potential weakness in a building’s defence.

Whether mailboxes, letterboxes or combined mailbox and door entry systems are the chosen method for receiving mail, innovation in design offers architects and specifiers a wide range of secure options that protect properties and those living or working within them.

Consulting a specialist provider like The Safety Letterbox Company at the specification stage for both newbuild and refurbishment projects is recommended for determining the best safety, security and fire protection solutions for both the building and its occupants.

Safe receipt of mail is important for all recipients as outlined by The New Homes Guide 2010

Our mailboxes comply with Secured By Design requirements in line with the New Homes Guide 2010 section 21 & 24.

Secured By Design is the official UK Police flagship initiative supporting the principles of "designing out crime" www.securedbydesign.com

The Main focus of the guide is to try and prevent crime at the design, layout and construction stage of homes and commercial premises. Secured by Design promotes the use of security standards for a wide range of applications and products including our endorsed Flaplock.

Following discussions between The Safety Letterbox Company and Officers from the ACPO (Associations of Chief Police Officers), it was agreed that there are some crime risks associated with having a post box or a letterbox opening in the door (Section 21 of the Secured By Design New Homes Guide 2010).
The Safety Letterbox Company offers a large range of UK manufactured mailboxes, post boxes and letterboxes which comply with the Secured By Design recommendations.

• 'Make letter flaps history' and comply with Secured by Design directives
• Save money on purchasing letter flaps and cutting holes in doors
• No access through the front door ensures that homes are safer
• We can manufacture mailboxes to suit these requirements.

No Letter flaps are cut into the door and a Mailbox is fitted onto the side of the wall or post. This prevents access to the door via the letter flap and increases safety and security to the home.

Secured By Design recommends retrospectively blocking the existing Letter flap in an existing door. A ‘Flaplock’ can be fitted and a mailbox can be sited onto the wall by the side of the door.

Flaplock – SBD-accredited – as a retrofit option over existing letterboxes, reassurance for vulnerable communities, preventing arson and unwanted access through the letterbox, etc

Protecting lives and buildings from external threats is of paramount importance. Security and safe receipt of mail starts with the door entrance.