A pilot campaign led by the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) to address violence and aggression towards its Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) has delivered outstanding results, with a 73% reduction in reported incidents!
Following a sharp 175% rise in reported verbal and physical assaults on staff over the past three years, the pilot campaign, titled, Beyond the Uniform, took place in Harlow from January to April this year.
In 2024, the NEPP saw its highest ever number of incidents, with almost daily reports of incidents, including spitting, racial and homophobic slurs, sexual harassment, physical threats, and even being deliberately driven at, taking a physical, mental and emotional toll on staff.
“Beyond the Uniform” sought to foster respect and empathy for CEOs by highlighting their humanity. It urged the public to see beyond the uniform, recognising CEOs as individuals – parents, grandparents, and friends – who contribute positively to their communities.
Often misunderstood, CEOs not only issue penalties for illegal parking but also ensure road safety for schoolchildren, facilitate emergency vehicle access, and maintain accessibility for disabled individuals, among other crucial responsibilities.
The campaign featured a variety of digital and print marketing throughout Harlow alongside pop-up community engagement events at the Harvey Shopping Centre in Harlow, where the NEPP engaged with an impressive 375 members of the community.
The Beyond the Uniform pilot campaign has been a huge success for the NEPP in many ways. Whilst the pilot and its funded activity may now have ended, the NEPP is keen to build on the positive work, momentum and progress that has come from this pilot.
Funding for the pilot campaign was awarded jointly last year to the NEPP and Brighton & Hove City Council by Parking and Traffic Regulations Outside London (PATROL) through its Driving Improvement Awards programme. PATROL is the statutory joint committee of over 300 local authorities in England (outside London) and Wales that enforce civil parking and other traffic restrictions. The NEPP and Brighton spearheaded Beyond the Uniform ahead of a syndication of the campaign by PATROL to its wider authority membership post-summer.
Tanya McGrath, a NEPP CEO, said: “The campaign has had a noticeable positive impact on staff. Personally, I’ve had members of the public approach me to say they’ve seen the campaign, and that it genuinely makes them reflect – on our roles and on life more broadly. It’s encouraging to see it resonate so widely.
“We’ve also observed a reduction in incidents, which I believe is, in part, thanks to this initiative. It would be fantastic to see the campaign rolled out more widely, as it’s clearly having a very positive effect.”
Councillor Paul Honeywood, Chair of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “We’re thrilled with the positive impact and response Beyond the Uniform has had. Achieving a 73% reduction in reported incidents is a remarkable result and clearly demonstrates that the campaign’s tone and approach have resonated strongly with the public.
“The campaign has been a huge success for NEPP as well as its staff, partners and the wider parking sector and we are excited for the next steps, both for us and PATROL.”
Laura Padden, Director of PATROL, said: “I’m proud to see the early impact of PATROL’s Driving Improvement Awards through the sponsorship and development of the Beyond the Uniform campaign in just its first year of operation. The fantastic results and engagement from NEPP demonstrate the value of this England- and Wales-wide programme to inspire and empower local authorities to deliver creative communications that drive change around the big issues in traffic management and enforcement.”
Harlow Council Councillor Nicky Purse, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sustainability, said: “This campaign has been a huge success and has certainly made the impact that was intended. However, it’s a shame that we had to do such a campaign in the first place because just one incident of inexcusable abuse of our Parking Officers is one too many. Our Parking Officers do what is undoubtedly an incredibly important and challenging job which keeps everyone safe from irresponsible parking. We must now build on the success of this campaign. We must continue to encourage people to reflect on their behaviour and attitude towards our Parking Officers, to see the people beyond the uniform and the positive work they do to protect our town and our communities.”
Further information about the campaign, including an evaluation report of the pilot campaign can be found on the NEPP’s website at north.parkingpartnership.org/beyondtheuniform
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Notes to Editors:
- Workplace violence reporting: The incidents of workplace violence reported above are based on internal reports and do not include police data.
- Pilot location: The campaign was piloted in Harlow, where NEPP staff were experiencing the highest levels of abuse.
- Terminology: In the campaign materials, Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs) are referred to as ‘Parking Officers.’
- Staff protection measures: NEPP is committed to safeguarding its staff through comprehensive safety training, equipment and procedures. Support services are available for employees who experience abuse, and NEPP collaborates with staff and the police to pursue successful prosecutions.
- Information about how NEPP protects its frontline staff can be found on its website
