Park Mark Safer parking, safer streets The BPAs Safer Parking Scheme has been a key part of crime prevention in Northamptonshire and Nottingham, as Louise Parfitt finds out e focused on car parks where we had witnessed drug deals taking place in broad daylight and where organised criminals often congregated, says Paul Golley, delivery manager for crime reduction and operations, Northamptonshire Police. The close proximity of the car parks to the university and nearby parks caught our attention. Getting them into the Safer Parking Scheme (SPS) was a critical part of our Safer Streets Fund bid. Golley is talking about the recent funding that Northamptonshire Police and West Northamptonshire Council received from the governments Safer Streets Fund. The latest round of the fund has particular emphasis on the safety of women and girls because crimes that take place in public places disproportionally affect women. Tackling crime at car parks close to Northampton University was key, and the team also included nearby car parks, because we didnt want to deflect the situation elsewhere, says Golley. Improvements made possible by the W funding include new CCTV, better lighting and the installation of help points. One car park also has automatic number plate recognition cameras to deter groups gathering in cars. The car parks were then assessed by BPA area manager Peter Gravells to gain Park Mark status awarded to car parks that meet the requirements set by the police to deter crime and for the Disabled Parking Accreditation, which is given when a car park meets accessibility standards set by Disabled Motoring UK. I am delighted that the car parks within the campus have achieved the awards as it means that Northampton University is delivering a safer environment for those using the facilities, Gravells says. It is a fantastic achievement and testament to the effective management and high parking standards being maintained. Nottinghamshire Police were also successful in submitting a bid to the Safer Streets Fund. This has included providing CCTV, better lighting and improved general landscaping at several identified locations including car parks in Mansfield, with the direct intention of reducing the Having that blue Park Mark sign up lends ownership to a car park and acts as a deterrent to criminals Park Mark status was awarded to five residential car parks in 2020 after West Northamptonshire Council received Safer Streets funding to tackle antisocial behaviour issues in car parks belonging to Northamptonshire Partnership Homes. You can read more about it in March 2021 Parking News: bit.ly/PNJun22PA opportunity for criminal activity and reducing the fear of crime. Investment has been made in the town centre car parks to achieve the standards of the SPS, says Gravells. The Park Mark awards demonstrate that the car parks are safer places for people and vehicles and provide a safe and non-threatening environment. The BPA is keen to extend the safer parking initiative with stakeholders throughout the Mansfield area. The benefits of being in the Safer Parking Scheme is that the car parks are subject to constant review and improvement, says Golley. Having that blue Park Mark sign up also lends ownership to a car park and acts as a deterrent to criminals. 50 PN June 2022 pp50-51 Safer Parking.indd 50 24/05/2022 16:27