Middleton achieves Park Mark® Parking Award 2021

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Middleton shopping centre car park in Middleton has achieved the coveted Park Mark® Safer Parking Award.

The Park Mark® Safer Parking Award is given to parking facilities that have achieved the requirements of a risk assessment conducted by the Police and the British Parking Association. The Safer Parking Scheme is an initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), Police Scotland and the Police Service of Northern Ireland, aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in parking areas.

The Safer Parking Scheme, managed by the British Parking Association (BPA), awards the Park Mark® to facilities that have measures in place to create a safe environment. Police Accredited Assessors undertake a site specific risk assessment. They assess the management and maintenance of the facility and check that there are appropriate levels of surveillance, lighting, signage and cleanliness, thereby reducing the opportunity for crime.

Centre Manager, Marie Gribben, has put in place measures that help to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, thereby doing everything possible to reduce the fear of crime.

Mark Osmond, Park Mark® Scheme Area Manager, says, “We are delighted that Middleton shopping centre car park has achieved the Park Mark® Award, as it means they are delivering a safer environment for those using the car park. It is a fantastic achievement and testament to the effective management and high car parking standards maintained by the shopping centre management and security staff.”

Car parks with the Park Mark® award can use signage featuring the distinctive Park Mark® tick, so that drivers know exactly where to go for safe parking. Facilities that have received this award have seen a drop in vehicle-related crime of over 80%. This initiative is very important and making a difference, as vehicle-related crime now accounts for 13% of all crime* (down from 22% in 2004), and 11% of vehicle-related crime occurs in car-parks** (down from 20% in 2004).

There are currently 5000 car parks with the Park Mark® Award throughout the UK. To find your nearest Park Mark® car park, visit www.parkmark.co.uk.