The NEPP is tackling the alarming rise in abuse against parking staff with a new campaign aimed at fostering respect and understanding
Harlow: The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) is kicking off a new campaign called “Beyond the Uniform.” This initiative is all about addressing the rising violence and aggression that parking staff, known as Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs), have been facing lately.
Over the last three years, there’s been a staggering 175% increase in reported assaults on these officers. Just this past year, they’ve seen the highest number of incidents ever, with reports coming in almost daily. It’s really concerning to hear that more than 100 incidents have been logged since April, including everything from verbal abuse to physical threats.
The “Beyond the Uniform” campaign aims to show the public that these officers are real people with lives outside of their jobs. They’re parents, grandparents, and friends who are just trying to do their part in the community. The campaign encourages everyone to look past the uniform and recognize the humanity behind it.
CEOs do more than just hand out parking tickets. They play a crucial role in keeping our roads safe, helping kids get to school, and ensuring that emergency vehicles can get through. They also help maintain accessibility for those with disabilities.
This campaign will run until April and includes both digital and print marketing, plus some community events. You can catch these events at The Hub in the Harvey Shopping Centre on a few dates in February and March.
NEPP received funding for this campaign from the Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London (PATROL) program, which supports local authorities in England and Wales. They’re leading the charge on this initiative, with plans for a national rollout later this year.
Councillor Paul Honeywood, who chairs NEPP, expressed how vital these officers are for road safety and how unacceptable the abuse they face is. He believes this campaign is a crucial step toward fostering public understanding and respect for their work.
Laura Padden from PATROL added that the campaign highlights the everyday lives of parking enforcement staff, who often face negative perceptions. She hopes that by sharing their stories, attitudes will shift, and these essential workers will receive the support they deserve.
Councillor Nicky Purse from Harlow Council also emphasized the importance of this campaign. She hopes it will encourage people to think about how they treat parking officers and recognize the important work they do to keep the community safe.
If you want to learn more about the campaign, check out the NEPP’s website for all the details.
