In our current February 2005 print issue we featured car park security at East Midlands Airport; below, a new initiative nearby.
North West Leicestershire District Council, Leicestershire Police and the Partnership in Safer Communities have teamed up to attract £9,000 of Home Office funding to buy 30 ‘Talking Signs’. The devices automatically offer pre-recorded warnings – such as "Police warning – thieves operate in this area" and "You are now entering a CCTV controlled area" – when someone is within a six-metre radius. The products are to go on district council-owned car parks and are being offered to other places such as supermarkets.
Councillor Derek Howe, Chairman of the Partnership in Safer Communities, said: "We are committed to reducing crime and the fear of crime. The reduction of vehicle crime is one of our top priorities. The Talking Signs offer a number of pre-recorded messages, for example to remind users of the need to make sure they have locked their car and removed valuables from display. We can also use the Talking Signs to record our own messages if we have any other issues we want to make the public aware of."
PC Michael Kaiser, Crime Reduction Officer for North Area Police, featured in our November 2004 issue, added: "These units will complement the existing signs located throughout the district at public car parks, hotels, pubs and leisure centres. Talking Signs have been used successfully in other areas of the country, for example in London where the Metropolitan Police use them to offer information about potential street robbers. However, this is the first time Talking Signs have been used in Leicestershire and I believe they will help us to reduce vehicle crime in the district."
The council and county force are working towards the Park Mark Safer Parking Award at local authority car parks. To achieve this award, the authority must put in place measures to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour. The local authority already has patrols, CCTV and lighting on its car parks.
