Safer car parks and cycle racks in Northampton funded by Commissioner's £1.45m crime-fighting grant

Cash from the government's Safer Streets project will be used to make car parks safer and combat a 16 per cent jump in bike crime in Northampton

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Mold, has used part of a £1.45million grant to install 30 high-security pods where cyclists can park their bikes safely.

And seven car parks in the town are being improved as part of the same project to meet the Park Mark standard.

Streetpods will be installed from Monday at 19 key locations on Wellingborough Road and Kettering Road.

Mr Mold said: “We are investing in a number of different measures to make the streets of Northampton safer for all.

"Streetpods provide a practical solution for the many cyclists of Northampton who live in the area or using local facilities and are concerned about security when leaving their bikes.

“The Park Mark accreditation initiative gives residents and visitors the reassurance that owners and operators of the parking facilities have considered and taken action to ensure that their car park is a safe and secure environment for both vehicles and people.”

Northampton has seen 16 per cent increase in bike thefts during the last two years compared to an eight per cent drop in the rest of Northamptonshire.

Streetpods protect the front wheel within a casing, whilst the frame and rear wheel are secured using just a single lock. The Streetpods hold a Sold Secure Silver certification, and are a police approved Secured by Design licensed product, providing additional reassurance to cyclists.

The Park Mark accreditation, which is managed by the British Parking Association, is designed to reduce both crime and fear of crime in parking facilities and is awarded following a rigorous assessment conducted by police assessors.

Market Street and Melbourne Street car parks — which belong to the borough council and are used primarily by shoppers and visitors to the town centre — will be upgraded along with Melbourne Walk, Bouverie Walk, Vernon Walk, Elizabeth Walk and Woodstock which are owned by Northampton Partnership Homes and provide parking for their residents.

Car park maintenance and management, lighting, surveillance and access control are some of the factors considered as part of the Park Mark assessment.