CAR park users in York are to be given access to a new high-tech hotline to help as part of a major security boost.

Six of the city's car parks are being equipped with help points which will allow people to report incidents direct to security staff at the city's CCTV control room, based at police headquarters in Fulford Road.

One of the CCTV cameras covering the car park will then zoom in on the person using the help-point to give operators a first-hand view of the situation.

Depending on the incident the police can be alerted or help and advice given.

The help points are set to go into six car parks in the next month. They are Union Terrace, Marygate, Nunnery Lane, St George's Field, Monk Bar and Foss Bank.

News of the new safety measure came as the Union Terrace car park won a coveted Secured Car Parks Award for the range of safety features it boasts.

Initiatives by North Yorkshire Police, Safer York Partnership and City of York Council's Parking Services has seen car crime in York drop by 56 per cent.

Chief Superintendent John Lacy, police commander for York and Selby, said: "The Secured Car Park Award Scheme is only given in respect of car parks which meet a whole range of crime and crime reduction criteria and plays a vital role in bringing down car park crime.

"I am delighted to present this award today to formally acknowledge the efforts of many in making Union Terrace a safer place to park".

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's executive member for transport, who received the award, said: "It is a real achievement to be awarded Secure Car Park status for Union Terrace and today represents a culmination of the endeavours of many over a very long period of time.

"The result is not only a safe car park, but also attended toilet facilities and an attractive coach parking area, all of which create a very favourable first impression to visitors."

Updated: 08:48 Friday, March 21, 2003