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News

POOLE CAR PARKS WIN AN ‘OSCAR’

AS a result of major investment, Poole’s town centre multi-storey car parks are the first in Dorset to win a Secured Car Parks Award.

At a ceremony at the Civic Centre on 23rd March, the Assistant Chief Constable for Dorset, George Pothecary will present the Mayor of Poole, Cllr Joyce Jones with the prestigious award.

Administered by the Automobile Association, on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Secured Car Parks scheme began in 1992 to encourage all those responsible for managing car parks in the UK, whether local authority or private sector, to strive for excellence, reduce car crime and increase customer confidence in a safe and secure environment.

Poole’s award was given in recognition of a programme of safety measures worth approximately £1.5million including 50 CCTV cameras, lighting on each floor, white ceilings, ground floor security grilles and help points on every floor.
The improvement programme was implemented in 1995 as a result of co-operation with the Police where car crime statistics indicated the most serious problems.

Cllr Bob Williams, Executive Spokesman on Environment and Prosperity issues, said: "We have invested a large amount of money to maintain and enhance the car parks which are used by residents and visitors and I believe it is money well spent. Our car crime figures were cut by 76% in the first eighteen months of introducing these measures which proves how effective this scheme can be".

Over 7 million people annually use Poole’s car parks, generating an income of £3.5million which is partly used to support the on-going programme of works.

-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS:
One of the most innovative measures which were introduced in connection with the improvements outlined above, were stencilled designs painted on the walls of each level of the car parks. At the Quay Visitors Car Park the stencils have a nautical theme to assist visitors to identify not only which floor they had left their car but also which car park!

Peter Osborne, Car Parks Manager (01202) 633288