CPTED-UK Ltd is proud to have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, reinforcing our commitment to serving personnel, veterans, Reservists and military families. The Covenant is a national promise that those who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated fairly and should not face disadvantage because of their service.
The Covenant was signed on behalf of CPTED-UK Ltd by Richard Stones OBE CSyP, Director, at the Derbyshire County Employer Engagement Group Armed Forces Covenant Employer Forum at County Hall, Matlock. For CPTED-UK, this commitment is about more than employment. It reflects our wider mission to help create safer, more inclusive and resilient places and communities.
A changing national security landscape
The UK’s security environment is changing rapidly. The National Security Strategy 2025 describes an era of “radical uncertainty”, shaped by geopolitical instability, strategic competition, technological change and hostile state activity. It places particular emphasis on strengthening Security at Home, making the UK harder to target and increasing resilience to future threats.
Hybrid threats make this particularly important. Cyber attacks, sabotage, espionage, disinformation, interference and attacks against infrastructure can cross the traditional boundaries between national security, crime, cyber security and community safety.
Parliament has highlighted the growing challenge presented by hybrid attacks, particularly as emerging technologies increase their reach and potential impact. Security therefore cannot be delivered by the Armed Forces, government, police or security agencies alone.
A whole-of-society approach
Both the National Security Strategy and Strategic Defence Review recognise the need for a whole-of-society approach to security and resilience, bringing together government, Defence, industry, businesses, civil society, communities and individuals.
This closely reflects CPTED-UK’s approach. We believe that security is a shared responsibility and should be considered from the earliest stages of planning and design, rather than added to buildings and places afterwards.
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design brings together designers, planners, developers, operators, security professionals and communities to reduce vulnerabilities while creating places where people feel safe, connected and confident. The objective is not simply to create harder targets, but to help create stronger places and more resilient communities.
Why the Armed Forces Covenant matters to us
Armed Forces personnel develop skills that have significant value beyond Defence, including leadership, operational planning, teamwork, risk management, adaptability and decision-making under pressure.
As an Armed Forces Covenant signatory, CPTED-UK Ltd is committed to:
• supporting veterans transitioning into civilian careers;
• supporting Reservists balancing employment and military service;
• supporting military families affected by deployment, relocation and Service commitments;
• recognising transferable skills gained through military service; and
• promoting inclusive and resilient communities in which the Armed Forces community is welcomed and valued.
Richard Stones OBE CSyP commented:
“I am delighted to sign the Armed Forces Covenant on behalf of CPTED-UK Ltd. The professionalism, leadership, adaptability and sense of service found across the Armed Forces community are enormously valuable to our workplaces and communities.
At a time when national security increasingly depends upon resilience across the whole of society, strengthening the connections between Defence, business and communities is more important than ever.”
Safer places. Stronger communities. Greater resilience.
The Armed Forces Covenant itself is founded on shared responsibility across government, businesses, local authorities, charities and the wider public. That principle strongly aligns with CPTED-UK’s mission.
In an environment where hybrid threats increasingly cross the boundaries between the physical, digital and social worlds, resilience depends not only on specialist security organisations but on people, places, businesses and communities being prepared to play their part. The UK’s whole-of-society approach similarly recognises national resilience as a collective endeavour.
Signing the Armed Forces Covenant is therefore more than a formal pledge for CPTED-UK Ltd. It represents our support for those who serve and have served, and our wider commitment to safer places, stronger communities and a more resilient society.
CPTED-UK Ltd is proud to play its part.
