A SHOPPING area has won an award for its safe car park.

Teesside Retail Park, in Stockton, was presented with the Secured Car Parks award yesterday.

The award is an initiative by the Association of Chief Police Officers and is supported by the Home Office and administered by the British Parking Association.

It aims to encourage those responsible for car parks to improve security standards as a way of reducing criminal activity, the fear of crime and the perception of crime.

Mike Clarke, retail park manager, said: "The award shows we do not get a lot of car crime.

"However, we had to meet certain criteria to get it, including showing we had CCTV coverage, adequate street lighting and that our landscaping only came up to a certain level.

"We are absolutely delighted because as the park has developed it has become increasingly busy. It is good to know we are on top of that and it is nice to be given an award for that."