What is Park Mark? The Complete Guide

Park Mark is the police-assessed security accreditation for car parks. Learn who awards it, what it requires, how to check it, and why it matters for leaving your car at the airport. Compare Park Mark approved parking with no booking fee and BCP30.

What is Park Mark?

Park Mark is a national security accreditation for car parks, awarded to those meeting a standard assessed by the police. It covers measures like CCTV, fencing, lighting and patrols, signalling a car park has been independently checked for security.

Park Mark, also called the Safer Parking Scheme, is the UK's recognised security accreditation for car parks. It is awarded to car parks that meet a standard assessed against police-set criteria, covering CCTV, perimeter fencing, lighting, signage and patrols. The aim is to reduce crime and the fear of crime in car parks. For a car left at the airport for days or weeks, it is the clearest independent signal that security has been properly checked. Every car park we list is Park Mark approved; compare them with BCP30.

Who awards Park Mark?

Park Mark is run by the British Parking Association on behalf of the police, with assessments carried out against police-developed criteria. Car parks are inspected and must continue to meet the standard to keep the accreditation.

The scheme is managed by the British Parking Association and backed by the police, who developed the security criteria. Car parks apply and are assessed by trained assessors against those standards; only those that pass are awarded Park Mark. Accreditation is not permanent, car parks are reassessed to ensure they continue to meet the standard, so it reflects ongoing security, not a one-off check. This independent, police-backed process is what makes Park Mark trustworthy.

What does Park Mark require?

Park Mark requires effective management and maintenance, appropriate lighting, clear signage, CCTV or natural surveillance, and measures to deter and detect crime. The exact requirements suit each site, but the security outcome is consistent.

To earn Park Mark, a car park must demonstrate effective security management: appropriate lighting, clear layout and signage, surveillance through CCTV or staffing, perimeter measures such as fencing, and processes to deter and detect crime. The specific measures are tailored to each site, an open-air compound and a multi-storey achieve the standard differently, but the outcome, a demonstrably secure car park, is consistent. This is why Park Mark applies equally to Park & Ride and on-airport car parks. Compare accredited options with us and apply BCP30.

How do I check a car park has Park Mark?

Look for the Park Mark logo on the car park's listing or website, or check the official Park Mark site; every car park we list is Park Mark approved. Booking through a platform that vets operators removes the need to check yourself.

You can verify Park Mark by looking for its logo on a car park's website or listing, or by searching the official Park Mark website. When you book through us, there is no need: every car park we list is Park Mark approved and vetted, so any option you choose meets the standard. This removes the risk of booking an unaccredited firm through a cheap advert. Compare vetted, accredited parking with us, with no booking fee and BCP30 for up to 30% off.

Why does Park Mark matter for airport parking?

For a car left unattended for days or weeks, Park Mark gives an independent, police-backed assurance of security, reducing the risk of theft or damage. It is the clearest mark of a trustworthy airport car park.

Airport parking means leaving your car for an extended period, so security matters more than for a quick shop. Park Mark gives independent, police-backed assurance that the car park has proper CCTV, fencing, lighting and patrols, reducing the risk of theft or damage while you travel. It is the single clearest signal of a trustworthy airport car park, and the reason we require it of every operator we list. Book with confidence, compare accredited car parks with us and apply BCP30 for up to 30% off.

What are the key takeaways on Park Mark?

Park Mark is the police-assessed security accreditation for car parks, covering CCTV, fencing, lighting and patrols. It is the clearest mark of a trustworthy airport car park; every car park we list is Park Mark approved.

To summarise the main points:

  • Park Mark is the UK's police-backed car park security standard.
  • It is run by the British Parking Association and requires reassessment.
  • It covers CCTV, fencing, lighting, signage and patrols.
  • Every car park we list is Park Mark approved and vetted.

Whichever option you choose, pre-booking through a comparison platform ensures you see every choice side by side and secure the genuine cheapest deal for your dates, with no booking fee, free cancellation up to 72 hours before arrival, and promo code BCP30 for up to 30% off at checkout.

More questions

Park Mark is the UK's police-assessed security accreditation for car parks, covering CCTV, fencing, lighting and patrols. It signals a car park has been independently checked for security, ideal for leaving your car at the airport.

It is run by the British Parking Association on behalf of the police, with assessments against police-developed criteria. Car parks are inspected and reassessed to keep the accreditation, so it reflects ongoing security.

Look for the Park Mark logo on the listing or the official Park Mark website. When booking through us there is no need, every car park we list is Park Mark approved and vetted. Apply BCP30 for up to 30% off.

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Waqas RazaAirport Parking Specialist

Waqas Raza has spent over 10 years in the UK airport parking industry, working as a product analyst and marketing specialist. He writes about comparing car parks, cutting parking costs, and avoiding hidden airport charges, helping UK travellers book the right space with confidence.

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