Around 15% of all car crimes occur in car parks
If you leave your car in a car park you want to be sure that it'll still be there when you come back.
For peace of mind look for car parks displaying the Safer Parking Scheme's parkmark sign which shows that the operator has thought about and put in place a range of options to reduce crime and the risk of crime.
Around 20% of all car crimes occur in car parks. Home Office research has shown that car park crime can be reduced by up to 80% by implementing appropriate design changes and management practices.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Secured Car Parks Scheme was launched in 1992 with the aim to develop security standards and reduce crime in all types of car park.
Following a Home Office review in 2002 the scheme was relaunched in 2004 as the 'Safer Parking Scheme'.
if you feel safe and secure in a car park a thief probably won't.
On the other hand, if you don't feel safe the thief probably will – don't park there.
Look for the Park Mark sign
The way the scheme is run was changed to make it accessible to a wider range of car parks. Emphasis shifted from the design-led approach of the earlier scheme to a risk-based approach that allows operators to consider and implement a wider range of options to reduce crime and the risk of crime.
Car parks that achieve the requirements may become members of the Safer Parking Scheme and are entitled to display the 'Park Mark' logo.
The Safer Parking Scheme is an ACPO initiative supported by the Home Office and Scottish Executive and managed by the British Parking Association (BPA).
To find Safer Parking Scheme car parks in your area look for the Park Mark logo or visit the website www.parkmark.co.uk
(updated 4 May 2012)
