EFFORTS to make Hartlepool's town centre car parks safer and more attractive to shoppers have won fresh recognition in a national awards scheme.

The Secured Car Parks status granted last year to the basement and multi-storey car parks in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and Eden Street car park has been renewed for a further 12 months.

The scheme is co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers and involves an assessment and inspection process.

Phil Hepburn, Hartlepool Borough Council's car parking manager, said: "I am delighted we have been deemed worthy of Secured Car Parks status for a further 12 months.

"People do tell us they feel safer when they use the car parks and statistics show in the multi-storey car park, for example, there has been a significant drop in reported crime."

Secured Car Parks status was granted to the car parks following the introduction of anti-crime and assistance measures, including improved security cameras, help points and clearer signs and improved lighting.

Organisations involved in planning and carrying out the work include the council, Cleveland Police and Middleton Grange Shopping Centre.

Superintendent Dave Horner said: "This awards scheme is a useful tool in our ongoing fight against car crime in the town centre. We fully support the scheme and it is a key to our overall crime reduction strategy."

The council is hoping to win the same status at the 106-space Roker Street car park, which is undergoing refurbishment costing about £100,000.