Category: Enforcement

A pioneering communications and engagement campaign that shines a light on the people behind parking uniforms has been shortlisted for its second major national award. 

Beyond the Uniform, created by Colchester City Council on behalf of the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) and delivered in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, has been named a finalist in the 2026 MJ Achievement Awards in the new Communications category. This follows its recent shortlisting for Campaign of the Year at the LGC Awards 2026. The project, which received funding through Patrol’s Driving Improvement award, has now been rolled out nationally. 

A response to a growing national issue 

Beyond the Uniform was developed as a direct response to increasing levels of verbal and physical abuse experienced by Civil Enforcement Officers. Many officers shared the lasting impact these incidents had on their wellbeing at work and at home. To help change this, the campaign used documentary-style film, community engagement events and public advertising to encourage people to understand the human stories behind the role. 

By sharing the real experiences of officers, including their roles as carers, volunteers and first responders in emergencies, the project helped challenge misconceptions and encouraged a more human and empathetic understanding of their work. 

Clear and meaningful impact 

The results were significant. NEPP reported a 73 per cent reduction in abuse during the campaign period, while Brighton and Hove recorded a 23 per cent reduction over the same timeframe. Officers in both areas said they felt more supported and valued, and many residents reported a shift in their understanding of the role. These outcomes helped support the decision to roll the initiative out on a national scale. 

A partnership achieving real change 

The success of Beyond the Uniform reflects the strength of partnership working and a shared commitment to improving officer safety and community understanding. 

Cllr Paul Honeywood, Chair of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: 
“This campaign has helped people see the real individuals behind the uniform and has opened up conversations that had not been happening before. It has made a meaningful difference to the safety and confidence of our officers. Being shortlisted for a second national award is a credit to everyone involved and to the communities who engaged with the campaign so positively.” 

Looking ahead 

With national rollout now underway, both councils remain focused on building on the progress already made. NEPP is expanding the approach into additional districts, while Brighton and Hove continue to embed officer wellbeing and public engagement into its day-to-day service. 

The winners of the LGC Awards will be announced on 10 June 2026, with the winners of the MJ Achievement Awards announced on 19 June 2026. 

The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) is preparing to formally advertise proposed changes to on-street parking arrangements in Braintree, Halstead and Witham. These proposals aim to modernise parking management, encourage sustainable travel, and improve community safety – while continuing to support local businesses and visitors.

Under the proposed scheme, motorists would still benefit from one hour of free parking, with the option to extend their stay for a modest fee, aligned with nearby public car park tariffs. This approach is intended to support short, purposeful visits and increase turnover of parking spaces, helping to boost footfall and strengthen the appeal and activity of town centres.

This shift would deliver significant public benefits, by freeing up officer time for enforcement of high-priority restrictions, such as school zones and red lines, where road safety and responsible parking are especially important. More focused enforcement could also help to promote turnover, improving access to parking and supporting local businesses – representing a more efficient use of public resources.

The suggested improvements to parking restrictions would also bring operational efficiencies. By replacing limited waiting restrictions with Pay and Display, Civil Enforcement Officers can carry out quicker and more effective vehicle checks, enabling them to focus on higher-priority areas. NEPP estimates that enforcement patrol time could be reduced by up to 50%. In areas where similar changes have already been introduced, NEPP has observed a 144% increase in the efficiency of identifying vehicles parked illegally.

If approved, visitors would be able to register their stay using the MiPermit service via app, text or phone, offering convenience and flexibility. Two of the proposed sites would also include parking machines with card payment options. Blue Badge holders would continue to benefit from free parking, provided their badges are clearly displayed. Pay and display operational hours will directly mirror the operational hours of limited waiting bays currently in place. For most sites this is 8am-6pm Monday-Saturday, with the exception of one bay on Halstead High Street, which is 8am-6pm Monday-Thursday and Saturday.

Councillor Paul Honeywood, Chair of the North Essex Parking Partnership, said: “These proposals are about making our town centres more accessible, safer, and better supported. By encouraging short, purposeful visits and freeing up officer time to focus on areas like school zones, we’re aiming to create a more balanced and responsive parking system. Importantly, visitors would still benefit from a free hour’s parking, with the flexibility to stay longer if needed.”

The NEPP will formally advertise the Notice of Intention through on-street notices, local newspapers, and by letter-dropping businesses in the affected area, towards the end of October. The proposals will then be subject to a three-week consultation period, during which members of the public are invited to submit any comments or feedback. Following the close of the consultation, a report will be prepared that considers all support and objections received. This report will be presented to the NEPP joint committee for a decision on how to proceed. 

These proposals reflect NEPP’s commitment to delivering a more efficient, accessible, and community-focused parking experience. Any surplus revenue generated – should the changes go ahead – would be reinvested into local traffic management improvements, including the maintenance of road markings, signage, and street furniture, helping to create a safer and more welcoming environment for all.

Full details will be available on the NEPP website from 23 October, visit https://north.parkingpartnership.org/paid-parking/.

TThe North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) is thrilled to announce its success at the British Parking Awards 2025, where it took home two prestigious accolades, recognising both individual excellence and innovative collaboration.

Tanya McGrath, Enforcement Specialist, was awarded The Front Line Award, celebrating her outstanding dedication, professionalism, and compassionate approach to enforcement. Tanya’s work has consistently exemplified NEPP’s values, and her recognition is a testament to the vital role Civil Enforcement Officers play in keeping communities safe and accessible.

In addition, NEPP’s Beyond the Uniform campaign was honoured with the Special Jury Award, a category reserved for entries that have made an exceptional impact across all areas of the competition. Developed in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council and funded by PATROL, the campaign challenged public perceptions of parking enforcement and highlighted the human stories behind the uniform. Since its launch in Harlow in January 2025, the campaign has led to a 73% reduction in reported incidents of violence and aggression towards officers in that area.

Image: Richard Walker, Colchester City Council Head of Strategic Parking and Recycling and Refuse, Jake England, Interim Head of NEPP, and representatives from Brighton and Hove Council and NSL.

Following the success of the pilot in Harlow, Beyond the Uniform is now being rolled out nationwide, with other local authorities adopting the campaign to improve public understanding and support for their enforcement teams.

Cllr Paul Honeywood, Chair of NEPP, said: “We are absolutely delighted with these wins. Tanya’s award is richly deserved, and the Special Jury Award for Beyond the Uniform is a powerful endorsement of the campaign’s impact. These honours reflect the creativity, compassion and commitment of our team and partners. We’re proud to be leading the way in changing perceptions and improving safety for our officers.”

The British Parking Awards shine a spotlight on excellence and innovation across the UK’s parking sector. This year’s event was the most competitive yet, with a record number of entries. NEPP’s success is a great example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration and a commitment to putting people at the centre of public service.

For more information on NEPP and the Beyond the Uniform campaign, visit: Beyond the Uniform – North Essex Parking Partnership.

The North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) is proud to announce it has been shortlisted as a finalist in three categories at the British Parking Awards 2025, a prestigious national event celebrating excellence and innovation across the parking sector.

NEPP has been recognised for its collaborative and creative work in the following categories:

• Communications Award – for the Beyond the Uniform campaign, funded by PATROL, and developed in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council, which challenges public perceptions and highlights the human side of parking enforcement.
• Parking Partnerships Award – also for Beyond the Uniform, showcasing the power of cross-authority collaboration to deliver meaningful change.
• Front Line Award – celebrating the outstanding contribution of Tanya McGrath, Enforcement Specialist, whose dedication and professionalism exemplify the values of NEPP.

Beyond the Uniform, a pilot campaign launched in January 2025, aimed to tackle violence and aggression towards its Civil Enforcement Officers (CEOs). The campaign focused on building public understanding and respect by showing the human side of CEOs – as parents, grandparents, and friends who play a valuable role in their communities. Through a mix of digital and print media across Harlow, and a series of pop-up community engagement events, the campaign delivered exceptional results, achieving a 73% drop in reported incidents. Find out more about the campaign at Beyond the Uniform – North Essex Parking Partnership.

Cllr Paul Honeywood, Chair of NEPP, said: “We’re delighted to be recognised once again at the British Parking Awards. These nominations reflect the hard work, creativity and commitment of our team and partners. I’m especially proud of the Beyond the Uniform campaign and Tanya’s well-deserved nomination. We look forward to the results next month.”

Now in its 23rd year, the British Parking Awards honour the most innovative and impactful work in car park management, enforcement, design, and customer service across the UK.

Winners will be announced on Friday 12 September 2025. For more information on the awards and the full shortlist, visit: Shortlist | British Parking Awards 2025.

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