BURY'S Mill ate centre is well and truly in the driving seat when it comes to protecting cars from crime.

Its multi-storey car park has become the first in the town to receive a coveted award.

The "Secured Car Parks" accolade has come from the Association of Chief Police Officers in England and Wales.

ACPO launched the scheme in 1992 in partnership with the British Parking Association, Automobile Association and Home Office.

The award is a tribute to the car park's design and the additional security improvements carried out.

Mill Gate centre management held meetings with the police and regional development manager of Secured Car Parks.

On their advice, MEPC invested more than £10,000 on security measures, customer care and more signs.

The centre demonstrated it had facilities in place to meet:

Surveillance requirements.

Effective boundary treatment.

Good lighting levels.

Vehicle access and parking.

Security.

Signage standards.

Management practices.

The multi-storey car park is also served by closed circuit television cameras which have played a vital role in deterring thieves.

Centre manager Colin Nichol said: "This award further enhances Mill Gate shopping centre's appeal by offering shoppers car parking which meets the Secure Car Park standards.

"We are delighted to be the first car park operator in Bury to obtain this award."

The certificate was presented by Bury police divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood.

He said: "This is a real coup for the Mill Gate Centre. When people are shopping, they want to know that when they come back, their car will be intact.

"Getting this award shows Mill Gate has worked extremely hard to make the car park as safe as possible."

He added: "I'd like to see other organisations who have car parks to follow Mill Gate's example."

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