Safer Parking Award for MetroCentre

Europe's largest shopping centre has been awarded five Park Mark awards for each of its car parks amounting to nearly 10,000 free car parking spaces.

The Park Mark award is given to car parks which have achieved the standards of the Safer Parking Scheme, aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in car parks.

It illustrates the commitment of MetroCentre to its customers to deter criminal activity and create a safer environment for vehicles to be parked.

Chief Constable Mike Craik, said: "I am delighted to be presenting this award to MetroCentre.

"These low figures are a testament to the excellent working relationships we have at MetroCentre between ourselves, Capital Shopping Centres and Europa, the centre's contract security company.

"Together we are continually building on initiatives at the centre to make it a safe and reassuring place to visit for both local people and the many visitors from outside the region and the country."

Terry Atkinson, Services Manager (Security) said: "MetroCentre is one of the safest places in Britain to shop with car park crime at an all time low.

"Car parking crime has reduced by 95% over the last six years and this figure is from a very low crime base. Around eight million cars park at the centre every year and the risk of crime is minimal.

"New initiatives which have secured the Park Mark awards have included additional CCTV, proactive patrolling, increased lighting, plain clothes observers and working much more closely with Northumbria Police.

"We are delighted to have received this status for our car parks and that our hard work and effective crime network has been recognised."

Barry Turnbull MetroCentre General Manager (left) receives the Park Mark award from Northumbria Polices Chief Constable Mike Craik (right)

(Left to Right) Terry Atkinson MetroCentre Services Manager (Security), Northumbria Police Chief Constable Mike Craik, Barry Turnbull MetroCentre General Manager, Phil Taylor NE Regional Development Manager Safer Parking and Community Inspector Paul Bentley

What is the Safer Parking Scheme?

An initiative of the Associations of Chief Police Officers (ACPO/S), aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in parking areas. This initiative is much needed, as vehicle crime accounts for a high percentage of all crime (up to 20%) and it is estimated that 22% of vehicle crime occurs in parking areas1. The Safer Parking Scheme works at reducing crime. Certain parking facilities that have received the Park Mark Safer Parking Award have seen a drop in vehicle-related crime of over 80%1.

The Park Mark Safer Parking Award is granted to parking areas that have achieved the requirements of a risk assessment as conducted by the Police. These requirements mean the parking operator has put in place measures that help to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, thereby doing everything they can to prevent crime and reduce the fear of crime in their parking area.

For customers, using a Park Mark Safer Parking area means that the area has been vetted by the Police and has measures in place in order to create a safe environment.

1 Between the Lines: an evaluation of the former] Secured Car Park Award. Home Office Study 266.