Car parks in west Wiltshire are so prone to crime they can't be entered for safety awards.

This is not our opinion but that of Wiltshire crime reduction officer Malcolm Stiles, who is appalled at the risk to users and has warned West Wiltshire District Council time and again of the work that needs to be done there.

The council claims it cannot afford to improve the lighting, introduce surveillance equipment or employ security guards.

But what, we wonder, is it doing with the revenue it collects in parking fees?

Car parks like the one at St Stephen's Place in Trowbridge are virtual no-go areas after dark. It is high time the council made this a priority and gave car park users some return for their money.