EFFORTS to make Hartlepool's town centre car parks safer have won national recognition following the introduction of a range of security measures.

The basement and multi-storey car parks in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, along with Eden Street car park, have been awarded Secured Car Parks status in a scheme run by the British Parking Association.

Nearly 700 parking spaces are benefiting from a range of additional anti-crime measures, including improved CCTV cameras, help points that make it easier for motorists to summon assistance and other security measures.

Secured Car Parks status was awarded after assessment and inspection.

Hartlepool Borough Council, Cleveland Police and Middleton Grange Shopping Centre were involved in planning and carrying out the work.

Phil Hepburn, the council's car parks manager, said: "We are committed to making it as safe as possible to park in Hartlepool and I am delighted with these awards."

John Coward, chairman of regeneration, said: "Hopefully, more people will shop in the town centre if they feel safer using our car parks, and this in turn will benefit the local economy."

Superintendent Steve Sugden, Cleveland Police operations manager for Hartlepool, said that Eden Street car park on its own was capable of affecting the town's car crime statistics.

He said: "Two or three cars a day were being targeted but now the situation is much improved. Projects like this show what can be achieved when we all work together."