A council has received national recognition for helping to crack crime in car parks, writes Mark Templeton.

Oxford's Gloucester Green underground car park and Peartree, Redbridge and Seacourt park and rides have been awarded Secured Car Park Status.

The award is given by the the Association of Chief Constables and the AA to organisations which have taken steps to reduce levels of car crime. Security guards were introduced to park and rides more than a year ago but despite a 50p charge to cover costs, motorists were not put off using the scheme and car crime fell. The council's other scheme at Thornhill only has limited security and was not entered into the awards. More than 1.5 million vehicles use Oxford City Council's park and rides each year.

Redbridge has seen a drop from 179 car crimes in 1997 to just 31 so far this year while Peartree's figures have been reduced from 153 incidents to 39 in the same period.

The council believes the introduction of customer care staff in car parks has helped deter criminals.

Alex Hollingsworth, chairman of the council's highways and traffic committee, said: "We are determined to keep on driving the crime figures down." Supt Cressida Dick, area commander of Oxford police, praised the council for its work. She said: "The award shows that by working in partnership, all agencies can help tackle crime and the fear of crime in Oxford."

Story date: Monday 06 December

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