Car park security: the complete guide to Safer Parking

A car park should be more than somewhere to leave your vehicle. For drivers, it’s an important part of the journey, and feeling safe and secure can make all the difference.

However, finding suitable parking can often be a challenge, particularly given the risk of anti-social behaviour, vandalism and vehicle-related crime, from relay attacks to catalytic converter theft. As a result, drivers are increasingly seeking car parks that aren’t just convenient, but also safe and secure.

This is where Safer Parking plays an important role. The police-supported accreditation is awarded to car parks that have successfully undergone a comprehensive risk assessment conducted by the police, thus recognising their commitment to security and crime prevention. With over 4,500 accredited facilities across the UK, the initiative is increasingly valued by drivers, businesses and local authorities.

In this blog, we will explore the Safer Parking initiative in-depth, highlighting the role it plays in enhancing car park security, reducing crime and increasing customer confidence.

What is Safer Parking?

Safer Parking is a police-supported, security benchmark awarded to parking facilities that have the appropriate measures in place to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour. Achieving this award therefore demonstrates a commitment to prevent crime and ensure the security of vehicles and safety of people.

The core Safer Parking award assess various elements to create a safer environment, including:

Quality management – properly designed, maintained and supervised with trained staff, clear procedures and secure payment systems
Effective surveillance – CCTV cameras and patrols to capture any suspicious activity
Appropriate lighting – good visibility throughout the car park with well-lit entrances, exists, stairwells, payment machines and walkways
Clean environment – no litter, graffiti or broken equipment to show the site is regularly monitored

Awarded parking facilities are reviewed annually, which involves a thorough risk assessment conducted by the police. This ensures the quality and security of the car park consistently meets the Safer Parking standards.

With rising concerns around vehicle crime as well as personal safety for motorists, it’s more important than ever before to put the preventative measures in place to reduce the opportunities for crime.

“Some Safer Parking accredited facilities have seen vehicle-related crime drop by up to 80%”

The different Safer Parking accreditations

Safer Parking encompasses a suite of awards designed to support different users and types of car park. In addition to the core Safer Parking award highlighted above, there is also Plus, Freight, Meet & Greet, Accessible and Accessible EV.

Safer Parking Plus

This award involves a comprehensive assessment demonstrating the highest quality of today’s modern car parks, across services, operations, design and build. As well as the core Safer Parking requirements, the Plus award also assesses factors such as structural integrity and environmental credentials.

Learn more about the Plus award here.

Safer Parking Freight

The Freight award is specifically designed for lorry parks and truck stops, aiming to combat the increase in cargo theft in recent years. This ensures that such facilities not only deliver a pleasant customer experience, but also reduce vehicle and cargo crime.

Learn more about the Freight award here.

Safer Parking Meet & Greet

Developed for airports, operators, booking agents and consolidators, Meet & Greet provides customers with peace of mind, knowing their vehicle is in professional hands. The criteria for this award includes features such as clearly signposted drop-off / pick-up zones, as well as staff that are fully insured.

Learn more about the Meet & Greet award here.

Safer Parking Accessible

This award aims to empower those with mobility issues, providing them with the confidence to travel safely to a location knowing that their accessibility needs will be met upon arrival. It is jointly owned by Safer Parking and Disabled Motoring UK.

Learn more about the Accessible award here.

Safer Parking Accessible EV

Accessible EV is an extension of the Accessible award. For an EV charging facility to be accredited, the entire car park must also be accessible. The checklist includes accessibility to the charger, screen height, charger height, signage and wayfinding and cable management.

Learn more about the Accessible EV award here.

Why is car park security so important?

Maximising your car park’s security is crucial from a business perspective, as it helps protect customers, vehicles, and property. In turn, this can reduce crime and minimise liability risks.

Prevents theft and vandalism

Robust security measures – such as surveillance and lighting – help to deter criminals from theft, vandalism, and other forms of anti-social behaviour as there is a higher likelihood of being detected and identified.

Improves personal safety

Car parks can be isolated areas which may facilitate certain crimes, like assault or harassment. Implementing strong security reduces the potential for criminal activity and helps to create a safer environment for motorists.

Increases customer confidence

People will feel more inclined to visit shopping centres, hotels, hospitals and other facilities when their vehicle and personal safety are protected.

Reduces financial losses

Theft, damage and insurance claims can result in unexpected costs for property owners, but effective security can help to lower these expenses.

Supports incident investigation

CCTV footage and patrols can provide evidence if an incident occurs, helping to identify and apprehend offenders.

How does a car park qualify for Safer Parking?

It depends on which specific Safer Parking award you want to achieve, but consider the following elements when applying for accreditation:

Lighting – are key areas (entrances, walkways, exits, payment machines) effectively illuminated?
Surveillance – is there adequate CCTV positioned throughout the carpark?
Cleanliness – does the car park have any graffiti, litter or broken equipment?
Management – are there clear procedures in place with well-trained staff?
Structural integrity – are windows, doors and lifts fully intact and functional?
Accessibility – does the car park have accessible bays? If so, do these adhere to IstructE guidelines?
Environmental credentials – are there any green spaces or motorcycle and bicycle parking?
EV charging – does the car park have charge points for electric vehicles?
Facility type – is your facility a lorry park / truck stop or airport / ferry port

The latest parking scams

Several parking scams have emerged in recent years – being aware of these can help car park operators reduce the likelihood of people falling victim to them.

QR code parking payment – aka ‘quishing’

Criminals place a fake QR code on payment machines or signs, which drivers will scan believing they’re paying for parking. In reality, the code directs them to a convincing fake version of the parking service’s website, where their card details are stolen. Worryingly, this particular scam has increased by over 1300% in the past three years.

Fake parking ticket

Another tactic used by criminals is leaving realistic-looking parking tickets on vehicles, which often direct the driver to a website which mimics council payment portals. These may also pressure the driver to pay quickly to avoid any penalties.

Fake parking fine text messages – aka ‘smishing’

Drivers will receive a text claiming that there is an unpaid parking ticket associated with their vehicle, explaining that immediate payment is required and additional fees will apply if ignored. The message links to a phishing site designed to collect card details and the driver’s information.

These scams illuminate the importance of remaining vigilant in parking facilities – protect yourself by taking the following precautions:

Only use official parking apps downloaded directly from the Apple App Store or Google Play
Avoid scanning QR codes on parking machines unless you're certain they're legitimate
Check for stickers placed over existing signs
Verify the website URL before entering any payment details
If you receive a parking fine by text, independently check with the council or operator
For tickets left on your vehicle, verify the citation through the official council or parking authority website rather than using the QR code provided
Use Safer Parking accredited facilities where possible – find your nearest one here

Safer Parking is a valuable addition to any car park, helping to minimise such scams and create a safer environment for motorists. Reach out to the team to learn more.

How operators can improve car park security

There are simple improvements that can be made in your car park to boost security.

1. Conduct regular risk assessments

This will help you identify potential hazards before they progress into serious safety issues. It’s important to inspect elements like potholes, unclear signage, blind spots and inadequate lighting

2. Upgrade lighting and surveillance systems

Bright and balanced lighting helps drivers to easily navigate the premises and reduces the risk of slips, trips and falls. Whereas CCTV across vulnerable locations supports incident investigations if required

3. Improve cleanliness and visibility

According to the Broken Windows Theory, visible signs of disorder or neglect – such as a broken window or graffiti – can encourage further vandalism. Therefore, reducing these factors can help maximise safety in a car park

4. Train staff on safety procedures

Staff are often the first line of a defence in maintaining a safe car park. Effective training in areas such as accident reporting, evacuation procedures and conflict management ensures they are able to handle a variety of safety-related situations confidently and effectively

5. Apply for Safer Parking accreditation

Once you’ve implemented the above points, ensure to apply for Safer Parking accreditation so you can gain a competitive edge and provide your customers with peace of mind when parking

Conclusion

Ultimately, maintaining a secure car park is essential for protecting both your facility and its customers from crime and safety risks.

Police-backed accreditation provides recognition that your car park meets high security standards, while demonstrating your commitment to the safety of drivers and pedestrians.

Apply for accreditation today to enhance your reputation, build customer confidence and position your car park competitively.