Park Mark and Park Access awards for joint councils

Park Mark is part of the Safer Parking Scheme (SPS), a Police Crime Prevention Initiative that has been successfully reducing crime in car parks for two decades.

Managed by the BPA on behalf of Police Crime Prevention Initiatives, the SPS requires each car park to undergo a rigorous assessment by specially trained police assessors.

Assessments include management and maintenance of the facility, taking into consideration surveillance, lighting, signage and cleanliness.

Car parks accredited under the scheme are awarded the Park Mark certification, indicating they meet the highest standards of safety and security – car parks with this award see an 80 per cent reduction in crime.

Park Access is an accreditation that aims to become recognised throughout the whole of the UK for accessible and inclusive parking and electric vehicle charging facilities.

Park Access enables everyone, regardless of their accessibility needs, to identify car parks and facilities, such as EV charge points, that they can use with ease.

The accreditation is issued to parking facilities that pass a rigorous risk assessment conducted by the British Parking Association.

This award recognises that the parking and driver facilities in place are accessible to all drivers regardless of their mobility needs, bringing together the very best of two accreditations – the Disabled Parking Accreditation and People’s Parking Award – to become the UK’s industry benchmark for accessible and inclusive parking and electric vehicle charging facilities.

Phil Kemp, the designing out crime officer, said: “I am thrilled that Babergh and Mid-Suffolk Council has been accredited with 19 Park Mark award for their car parks. This has been achieved by Babergh and Mid-Suffolk Council and it has been a pleasure working with Matt Smith and Lauren Frost-Stevens.

Matt Smith, the councils’ parking service manager said: “We have worked closely with the Police and BPA to gain the awards and maintain the high standards that are required for our car parks to achieve the Safer Parking Scheme Park Mark awards.

“I am very proud of our team and to be presented with the award certificates. We have really appreciated the advice and guidance we have received and will continue to learn and make additional improvements where required.”

Colin Sproats, BPA area manager, added: “I am delighted that Babergh and Mid-Suffolk Council has achieved the Park Mark and Park Access awards, demonstrating their hard work and commitment to provide a safe environment for their users.