449/99
Reducing car crime and improving personal security are at the heart of a record #1.95 million winning CCTV scheme the Home Office announced today.
The ''Hawk Eye'' scheme was proposed jointly by London Regional Transport and the British Transport Police and will lead to vastly improved security at fifty-eight London Underground car parks.
The successful scheme has received the backing of The Suzy Lamplugh Trust and will have a strong impact on reducing vehicle crime in the car parks.
It will also reduce the fear of crime amongst late night passengers returning to their cars.
Home Office Minister Lord Bassam said:
"Motorists have a right to expect to leave their cars without them being stolen or broken into. This is why the Government are determined to tackle car crime, with the help of vehicle manufacturers, police, motorists and car park owners.
"Schemes such as ''Hawk Eye'' will play a vital part in reducing vehicle crime across the country. In the next five years we are looking for a 30 per cent reduction in vehicle crime - a challenging but achievable target."
The award comes on the day the Home Office publishes its Car Theft Index which reveals the cars most at risk from being stolen - or least likely to be stolen.
Lord Bassam added:
"This particular scheme, placing CCTV cameras in 58 car parks across London, will contribute directly to far improved safety for tube passengers and protection for their cars.
"Knowing that there is an extra set of eyes watching over the car park at all times gives motorists the reassurance that their property will be safer. It also gives passengers and in particular lone women and elderly motorists greater confidence when retrieving their cars at the end of the day.
"We are confident that by the end of 2000, the car parks that will benefit from this award will also be adding to the large numbers which have already received secured car park status."
On confirmation of the award, Charles Horton, London Underground''s Director of Station Services said:
"We are delighted to receive this significant award. It is excellent news for all our customers who regularly leave their cars at our car parks, as we want both them and their cars to be safe and secure.
"We hope that the knowledge that our car parks will be monitored by CCTV will encourage car users who have been considering parking at stations do so with confidence, and travel into town on the tube."
Welcoming the award, Steve Hotson, British Transport Police Area Commander for London Underground, said:
"This award shows the Government''s commitment to reducing crime through the its Crime Reduction Programme. British Transport Police together with London Transport will turn that commitment into practical reality in partnership with the local communities which we serve."
Keith Hill, Minister for London at the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, said:
"This is excellent news for people living outside central London. Passengers can park at their nearest tube station knowing their car will be in a safer environment and saving them the hassle and stress of driving around central London. This makes using ''park and tube'' an even better option for Londoners."
Explaining her support for the ''Hawk Eye'' scheme, Diana Lamplugh said:
"CCTV can be a very useful deterrant to crime against both cars and the person. We are delighted to see an initiative like this which takes an integrated approach to travel safety. We advise anyone returning to their car, whether male or female, to get their keys ready, check the back seat of the car and lock the doors once inside.
Further award winners will be announced in January 2000 as part of the roll out of the Government''s biggest ever CCTV package.
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
1. This award is part of the first tranche of the Government''s #150 million CCTV package announced in March this year. 35 winning schemes amounting to nearly E4 million were announced on 30 November (press notice 381/99).
2. For further information about the "Hawk Eye" scheme contact either British Transport Police press office or London Transport press office .
3. The ACPO Secured Car Park Scheme was re-launched in December 1997 with support from the Association of British Insurers. The scheme, which is administered by the Automobile Association, gives awards to car parks that clearly cater for the safety and security of its customers.
4. There are currently 562 car parks in England and Wales with secured status, with the aim of reaching 2000 by the end of next year. For further information about the scheme please contact the AA on 01256 492733 or the ACPO press office on 0171 227 3405.
5. The Government''s Vehicle Crime Reduction Action Team (VCRAT) strategy was published in September 1999 in Leicester. The strategy contains a range of proposals to support the Government''s car crime target - a reduction of 30 per cent over the next five years. (see press notice 292/99).
6. The Government''s 1999 Car Theft Index was published today (see press notice 448/99).
