National award celebrates local car park's 'transformation'

The Ferry car park in Chorleywood, run by Three Rivers District Council, has been awarded The Safer Parking Award by The British Parking Association.

The Award recognises the car park's successful transformation from an historical 'hotspot' for motor vehicle offences and anti-social behaviour, into a car park with no reports of crime at all over the past two years.

This remarkable turnaround was achieved through excellent management and continual partnership working with the Police. CCTV cameras are in operation 24/7, improved lighting has been installed and Civil Enforcement Officers inspect the car park on a daily basis.

Cabinet member for the Environment, Cllr Martin Trevett, said:

"We are delighted that the efforts of the District Council and the Police to transform the Ferry car park have been recognised in this way. The teams involved have worked really hard over the past two years to improve the car park for residents and visiting users and the whole project has been a big success; thank you to all involved."

The Police are equally pleased with the Award. Rickmansworth based Crime Prevention Officer Gary Sibson said:

"The Safer Parking 'Park Mark' award is a scheme that designs out crime and sets standards for car parking facilities. It reduces the opportunities for thieves to operate in car parks without being detected. The measures put in place should now give members of the public confidence to leave their vehicles in this car park."

The District Council and the Police are working together to achieve the Award in other car parks around Three Rivers. Three Rivers is the safest district in Hertfordshire.

Local businesses can purchase business permits to park for a full year at a cost of £200. Local business owners can contact Sonya Packett on 01923 244 611 for more details.