Car Parks

Safe and Secure Car parks

Although not the largest car park operator, Westminster City Council car parks hold more Safer Car Park Awards than any other central London car park operator. The awards scheme was initiated by the Association of Chief Police Officers and is administered by the British Parking Association and supported by the Home Office. To achieve an award, a car park must offer high standards of lighting, access, surveillance and security.

In recognition of our attention to and investment in equipment and procedures designed to maximise the security of our car parks, all 16 Westminster City Council car parks have been awarded Safer Car Parks Awards. This means that our car parks are monitored, assessed and regularly checked by an independent body and operated to standards which aim to protect the safety of customers and security of their cars and personal belongings. We also employ additional security staff during high-risk periods.

It is through measures such as these that we are trying to reduce criminal activity.

From February 1st 2007, Westminster City Council car parks will also have the following additional security measures in place:

CCTV Control Centre    
Instead of relying solely on the car park attendants on-site, our new CCTV Control Centre will monitor all of the car parks, at all times.  The Control Centre is based at Park Lane Car Park, and consists of 4 fully trained staff members working on a 24/7 basis rota system.  They monitor the Car Parks from CCTV screens & make regular audit, compliance and security checks.  They are the main point of contact should a customer press a Help Point (see below).  They also co-ordinate the Mobile Response Team (see below) and direct the mobile cleaning team to sites where necessary.

Mobile Response Team
A Mobile Response team is also be available at all times to visit all car parks.  Should a call-out be made the estimated response time is approximately 10 minutes, where assistance is required on-site.  There are 8 members forming the team and they use mopeds to travel between the car parks.  Regular patrols will be carried out by the team at car parks where there is no permanent member of staff on-site at all times.  The team will be directed by the Control Centre (see above).

Help Points
Help Points that link directly to the Control Centre are available for customers within each car park and will be serviced 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  These are located on each floor of the car park as well as all on all payment machines and entry and exit barriers.

Vehicle Security - Useful Advice

Did you know that car crime in Westminster accounts for almost one quarter of all Westminster's crime? The vast majority being theft from or criminal damage to motor vehicles. We ask you to remove or move all items of property from view when parking your car. A jumper on the back seat may appear to be covering an item of value and thieves are also known to break in for loose change on display. Please consider these points before leaving your vehicle and ensure it is locked with windows and sunroof closed. Don't make your car a target.

All Westminster City Council car parks have been awarded Safer Car Park status. We are the only car park operator in London to have 100% Safer Car Park status.