A CITY centre car park has again been honoured for being a crime-free zone.

The 400-space multi-storey in the Prince Bishops Shopping Centre opened in 1998 and, to date, not a single vehicle has been stolen from it - nor has there been a single recorded case of theft from a vehicle.

The car park has gained a Secured award from the British Parking Association and the Association of Chief Police Officers for another a year.

Security measures on all seven levels include regular foot patrols by security staff and an extensive closed-circuit television network.

As well as deterring criminals the cameras have provided evidence to refute occasional false claims from drivers that property has been stolen from their vehicles.

Clear signs, good pedestrian access, bright lighting and help points for the public have also contributed to the car park's renewed award.

Durham Chief Constable Paul Garvin presented a framed certificate to centre manager Richard Toynbee.

The force's architectural liaison officer, Andrew Duckworth, said that careful design could create an environment that was too difficult for thieves to work in.

"I would say without hesitation the Prince Bishops car park has every right to be labelled one of the safest in Britain.

"Its record proves it to be the most secure in our force area," said Mr Duckworth, who gave advice on crime prevention to the complex's designers.

"We hope it demonstrates to other operators what can be achieved by incorporating the right measures from an early stage," he added.