IPC addresses rise in abusive, violent and criminal behaviour

“By gathering information on all such incidents, we will now be in a position to provide definitive and substantiated evidence on this important topic. This will help to ensure all relevant authorities and influential individuals are aware of the scale of the problem so that appropriate and decisive actions can then be taken to help deter and minimise such inexcusable and abhorrent behaviours in the future.”

The portal has been designed to provide a quick and easy to use reporting platform. Parking operators can use drop-down prompts to complete an online form stating the nature, location and date of each incident and indicating whether the matter has been reported to the police, is related to any earlier incidents and if there has been any financial loss incurred.

The portal covers any incident relating to physical or verbal abuse of parking attendants, civil enforcement officers and self-ticketers, any verbal abuse targeted at call handlers and abusive online messages as well as theft or vandalism of property and equipment.

“Sadly, antisocial behaviour and the verbal and physical abuse of parking attendants, CEOs and call-handlers are growing concerns for parking operators in both the public and private sectors,” said Hurley.

“The rise in criminal prosecutions for such aggressive and violent behaviour is to be applauded, but the risk of severe physical or psychological injury remains a very real concern for all parking professionals. That’s one of the reasons we encourage all of our members to capitalise on professional training courses that include skills development in effective conflict management – such as those provided by the Training and Development Academy.

“As more and more reports are filed through the new portal, we will be able to use the new database to provide a significant new perspective on this widespread problem. I urge parking operators to take just a few minutes out of their day to take full advantage of this new resource as it will provide collective and persuasive evidence that simply cannot be ignored. After all, it is in the best interest of personnel at all public and private sector parking operators and, rather than shrugging shoulders with reluctant acceptance, there is now a very good reason to report all such incidents.”

Andrew Oliver, head of UK operations at Parking Control Management (UK), said he welcomed the IPC taking a proactive approach to establish the facts on a subject that has a very significant impact on staff welfare, morale and retention, as well as the operational and commercial interests of all parking operators.

Oliver said: “In just a few weeks we have already submitted many reports of incidents at our car parks and call centre and I know we’re not alone in having to deal with such issues.

“Even accepting the pace and stresses of modern life, the limited availability of parking spaces for an ever-increasing number of vehicles and the apparent unwillingness of many motorists to understand or appreciate the need for parking management, there is never any excuse for abusive behaviour targeted at parking attendants. They are just doing their job – helping to maintain parking fairness and convenience for all motorists, minimising risks to public safety and ensuring compliance with the rules that apply in whatever location a motorist chooses to park their car.”