Four council-operated car parks have been given awards from police chiefs in recognition of their commitment to safety and crime prevention.

The Gurdwara, West Street, Market Square and Horn Yard car parks in Gravesend have all been awarded Park Mark status this week.

Inspections were carried out by the British Parking Association with the assistance of police officers as part of the Safer Parking scheme.

The scheme is an initiative of the Association of Chief Police Officers which aims to award parking facilities which have met the requirements of a risk assessment conducted by the police.

This includes sufficient surveillance and lighting and putting in place measures to deter criminal activity and anti-social behaviour.

Each car park will now join the three other Gravesham council managed car parks (Parrock Street, Milton Road and Rathmore Road) already with Park Mark status, bringing the total in the borough to seven.

They in turn are part of 5,000 others nationally to hold Park Mark awards, roughly a quarter of the estimated 17,000-20,000 car parks operating in the UK.

Leader of the council, John Burden (Lab) believes it is important the residents of Gravesham get the quality of car park they deserve.

“The safety and wellbeing of our residents and visitors to the Borough is at the forefront of everything we do," he said.

“We now have seven car parks providing hundreds of spaces across Gravesend town centre that have been inspected and found to meet the highest safety standards.

“Local people and visitors alike can travel to the town to shop or enjoy an evening out knowing they are in a safe environment.”

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend