St. James Retail and Leisure Park receives national safety award

St. James Retail and Leisure Park, in Dover, has been granted the prestigious Park Mark, the Safer Parking Scheme award that recognises car parks with measures in place that actively deter crime and the fear of crime in car parks.

A Park Mark is awarded to parking facilities that pass a rigorous risk assessment conducted by the police and the British Parking Association. The assessments include management and maintenance of the facility, ensuring that there are appropriate levels of surveillance, lighting, signage, and cleanliness. These criteria are known to reduce the opportunity for crime and create a safer environment for the motorist and their vehicle.

A spokesperson for St. James said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Park Mark Safer Parking Scheme award. The centre strives to provide a clean, safe and welcoming environment for all our visitors, and we are pleased to be working in partnership with the British Parking Association.”

Graham Chapman, British Parking Association Area Manager said: “I was very pleased to accompany Kent Police to St James retail Park Dover on 19 July where it was successfully assessed for its very first Park Mark award. It is an excellent example of a retail facility having quality management practices in support of the high standards of overall site security and customer service.”

Car parks with the Park Mark award can use signage featuring the distinctive Park Mark tick, so that drivers know exactly where to go for safer parking. Early adopters of the scheme saw a dramatic drop in vehicle-related crime of over 80% showing that the initiative really does make a difference.

Personal safety and location have been cited as joint priorities when choosing where to park. There are currently over 4500 car parks with the Park Mark award throughout the UK.

Could you spot a Park Mark car park? Have a go by taking this quiz www.britishparking.co.uk/parking-quiz