Because of Lib Dem conference I’m a bit behind with my posts – but I wanted to report back on last week’s meeting with the police and Haringey Council about security at Stationers Park. The meeting was called after I met with Parks officers to demand action after the children’s play fort was badly vandalised (see previous post).
The good news is that the Council revealed they have spoken to the private contractors who close all the park gates in the Borough and they are now going to change the order they go round to ensure Stationers is one of the first to be closed – not one of the last as seemed to be happening. I’m really pleased as this is something I suggested at the end of August.
At the meeting a Mayfield Road resident confirmed that on the first night of the vandalism the gate was still open after 10pm. Of course, anyone can climb into the park if they really want – but leaving the gate open after dark is an open invitation to bored teenagers during the summer holiday, so this is a real Council blunder.
However, the bad news is that police say they will never be able to prioritise security at the park after dark unless more local people report problems. Currently they say they get very few calls about late night anti-social behaviour – even though loads of residents are disturbed when it happens. I would urge residents to help defend the Park. If its not an emergency you can call the ‘Safer Parks Unit’ via the Met Police on 0300 123 1212. If its an issue with the gates call the Parks Service on 020 8489 1000.
I suspect the reason most people don’t complain is because they don’t believe anything will happen as a result. So the police and the Council will need to make sure action is seen to happen when people take the time to contact them.