When we received a brief from a Police force relating to a particular operational issue - in this case that the layout of an existing custody suite was compromising efficiency - we decided the only way to arrive at the best design solution was to spend time in the cells, literally.

First-hand experience, walking sites to really understand a brief, is something we do on virtually every prospective project. If we get locked in, then it's usually accidentally - enthusiasm sometimes mean we want to interrogate every detail.

But on this occasion, we chose to get locked in. And when it got down to it, the big issue turned out to be the knock-on effects of the lack of a storage cupboard.

We have extensive specialist expertise in the Police and Custodial sector, acquired over many years - and arising from a wide range of projects from significant multi-functional buildings, headquarters and custody suites, to small constrained city centre developments, and refurbishments and extension projects of all sizes.

This is a sector with tight budgetary constraints, so we deploy simplicity with enthusiasm to drive value for money, whether new project or extending the life of existing buildings, bringing them up to current standards, but employing procurement routes including PFI, BSL, frameworks and direct appointments along with the more traditional design and build routes.

Our experience means we more often than not get it right first time, sometimes even meaning we can exceed expectations because early stage efficiencies help contain spend. But we keep it simple, engaging with clients at every stage to ensure direction is maintained, and often introduce concepts which have been proven elsewhere.

In this sector, you don't get locked up for stealing somebody else's idea - unless we want to be.