City Council receives award for its safer car parks
Winchester City Council is celebrating the news that a further eight of its car parks have received the Parkmark Safer Parking Award.
The Parkmark Safer Parking Award is given by the Police to car parks that have achieved the standards of the Safer Parking Scheme. The scheme is owned by ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) and administered by the BPA (British Parking Association). The Safer Parking Scheme is designed to reduce crime and, subsequently, the fear of crime in car parks.
Jim Ingram, Crime Prevention Officer for Hampshire Police, said: "This award is only given to car parks which have been assessed by the Police and which have been deemed to have measures in place to deter criminal activity and create a safer environment for both the customer and their vehicle. We assess if the facility is properly managed and has appropriate levels of surveillance, lighting, signage and cleanliness - all of which can contribute to reducing crime."
Three of Winchester’s car parks - St Catherine’s and Barfield Park & Rides and the Brooks - already held the Parkmark award and have recently been re-assessed and re-accredited. However, a further eight car parks have recently been assessed by the Police and will receive formal accreditation on the 8 May 2008.
These car parks are:
- Colebrook Street
- Chesil Street
- Middlebrook Street
- Cossack lane
- St Peters
- Jewry Street
- Gladstone Street
- Durngate
Richard Hein, Parking Manager at Winchester City Council, said: " These awards will come as great news for people who use the City Council managed car parks in Winchester. The awards show that the City Council is working hard to help people stay safe and secure within our car parks."