Top Ranking Safer Parking Success Celebrated

Top ranking safer parking success is being celebrated after another seven Dover District Council car parks gained special awards - giving the district the highest number of accredited areas in the south and the second highest in the country for a Local Authority.

Latest awards bring the total number of car parks accredited with the prestigious Park Mark status in the district up to 34. Full awards were made to the Council office car parks, and Townwall Street and Woolcomber Street in Dover. Day-time awards were also made to Borrow Pit in Walmer, Walmer Castle and the Guildhall in Sandwich.

Park Mark is an initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) aimed at reducing crime and the fear of crime in parking facilities. The award is made to facilities that have achieved the requirements of a risk assessment carried out by the Police. The award looks at general management and inspection regimes and means that measures are in place to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour. For customers, using a Park Mark Safer Parking facility means the area has been vetted by Police and has measures in place to create a safe environment. The scheme is managed by the British Parking Association on behalf of ACPO and supported by the Home Office.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Dover District Council Cabinet Member for Access, said: "We are delighted to have achieved these awards and to be leading the way in parking safety standards. This is a real tribute to the hard work and enthusiasm of our Parking Services Team and is part of our ongoing work to improve facilities and safety across the district."

Chief Inspector Roy Cottam, District Commander, Kent Police said: "I am extremely pleased with this news which totally supports the innovative and creative partnership working environment that the district has. Dover is one of the safest districts to live in and continues to be so. Car crime has decreased in the Dover District this year and a great deal of hard work from all CDRP partnerships has supported some excellent results. Our district's CCTV set up is very professional and dynamic and adds another dimension to our three year community safety strategy. I hope from a community perspective this paves the way for the Police and Local Authorities to engage even closer with the community in reducing crime and anti social behaviour."