HC Deb 19 March 2003 vol 401 cc44-6WS
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Bob Ainsworth)

The Home Office has today published the research report "Between the Lines: An evaluation of the Secured Car Park Award Scheme". Copies have been placed in the Library.

The Government has set a target to reduce vehicle crime by 30 per cent. over five years and reducing car crime significantly plays an important part in meeting it.

The Secured Car Park Scheme belongs to the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and is strongly supported by the Home Office. Key findings highlighted in the report include: The scheme can help reduce the level of crime and fear of crime in car parks; Formal surveillance (including patrols), lighting, access and a good physical appearance of the car park can lead to reductions in car crime; The management of car parks appears to be a critical factor in developing safer car parks; The scheme would benefit from improved marketing and more consistent application of standards across the country.

The report made a number of recommendations as to how the scheme could be improved and these are being taken forward by the ACPO Secured Car Parks Joint Steering Group where all key stakeholders are represented.