The British Parking Association has today announced that it has taken over the administration of the prestigious Secured Car Park Award scheme.
The scheme, launched by The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), aims to raise security standards within car parks and thereby reduce car-related crime – 22% of which occurs in car parks. To be awarded Secured Car Park status owners and operators must meet a stringent set of standards, including good design and management, an effective level of security patrols, good lighting and the provision of help points.
Approximately 950 car parks in the UK currently hold Secured Car Park status, and operators as well as users have seen the benefits of increasing security within their car parks. For example, the Luton bus station car park increased its usage and revenue by 65% following the award, while the Woodhouse Lane car park in Leeds generated an extra £160,000 a year in fees from contract parking as a direct result of work undertaken to achieve award status. The scheme and the associated reductions in crime in member car parks supports the Home Office and police strategies to fight car crime.
Commenting on the partnership between ACPO and the BPA, David Marklew, President of the BPA said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for the BPA to work with ACPO and the Home Office to bring about a big improvement in the quality of car parks and to reduce car crime. As an independent, non-profit making organisation dedicated to raising standards within the car parking industry, the BPA is ideally placed to administer the scheme. The BPA has strong links with car park operators throughout the UK, and we look forward to working with ACPO to ensure that the general public receive the very highest standards of parking provision."
