Industry, Government and the Police all turned out to launch the new Safer Parking Scheme on the 22nd of April. This scheme is an initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and is aimed at reducing both crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities. The scheme which has been running for 12 years as the Secured Car Parks Scheme, has now been revised and it is this new modernised Safer Parking Scheme which was launched on the 22nd.
The launch event held in the heart of London, opened with Hazel Blears Minister of State at the Home Office, emphasising that the scheme does work to reduce crime in parking facilities and if more widely adopted by parking operators will have a great impact on reducing crime and creating a safer community environment.
The British Parking Association took over the management of the scheme from the AA in 2001, and has successfully attracted operators to the scheme so that the number of Safer Parking award holders has increased from 930 to 1430 during the last two years. The BPA welcome the changes made to the scheme and Keith Banbury, CEO has said:
"The Safer Parking Scheme is an essential and positive development in the parking industry. By belonging to the scheme, Parking Operators show a commitment to reducing both the fear of crime and criminal activity in their facilities. This serves to benefit society as a whole, by improving the environment in which we live and therefore our quality of life."
Deputy Chief Constable Bob Quick, of ACPO who chaired the launch event said:
"The Secured Car Park Scheme in its original format was effective in reducing crime, but being fundamentally design-led prevented some operators from joining. Acknowledging this the scheme has been revised in consultation with the industry, with the criteria being risk rather than design based. I am confident that the new Safer Parking Scheme will allow all operators the opportunity to fulfil the criteria that will be recognised with the highly valued Safer Parking Award status."
Click hereto view the BPA Safer Parking Scheme section.
To find out more about the Safer Parking Scheme please visit :http://www.securedcarparks.com/or phone the British Parking Association on 01444 447314
