The proposals come as Islington Council looks at cost saving measures.
SHARE:
Islington Council has proposed to stop locking park gates across the borough but concerns about public safety and anti-social behaviour remain.
There are a total of 122 parks and open spaces in Islington, and the changes would effect 44 different spaces across the borough. Islington Council believes that this initiative would save £140,000, and plans to reinvest £40,000 back into the Park Guard Security.
However, according to the Islington Council website, locking parks in the spring and summer months only starts at 9pm and takes up to 3.5 hours to complete. This means most parks are not locked until late at night, diminishing the potential benefits from locking.
City News reached out to the Council to ask how they totalled £140,000, but they declined the opportunity for an interview.
We’re determined to make Islington a more equal place, and ensure resources are allocated where they are most needed and have the greatest impact.
Islington Council.
The Council hopes that this reinvestment back into security can help act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour (ASB) and proposes; additional Park Guard patrols, temporary locks for sites if needed,
mobile CCTV towers if required, and static security presence for ongoing issues.
However, despite these new measures, Islington residents still have concerns about whether these features will be effective in tackling ASB in parks and green spaces.
“I still wouldn’t walk through the parks at night.”, a worried resident told City News, “I don’t see many lights around here.”
Others say they’re worried that people would “abuse the situation”.
It could be a good thing, but also a bad thing. I like walking in the green spaces but people are going to be in the parks late, smoking and playing loud music. I wouldn’t want to wonder the parks at night.
Islington resident, who wanted to remain anonymous.
According to CrimeRate UK, the crime rate in Islington is 5% higher than the rest of London and 27% higher than England, Wales & Northern Ireland’s overall figure.
“I can understand the community being nervous that they’re opening themselves up to more potential ASB”, said Charlie Hamilton Kay, DCEO of the charity ASB Help. “However, we have got a good toolkit that if it does happen we can address it.
It has the potential to give people more enjoyment of those areas so let’s see how it plays out.
Charlie Hamilton Kay, ASB Help.
City News reached out to the Metropolitan Police to speak about the Public Safety concerns, they failed to reply.
The Council has opened a survey for concerned residents to provide their feedback on the proposal, which will remain open until 7th April.
Submitted Article
Headline
Short Headline
Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineIslington concerned over public safety in green spaces as Council proposes cost-cutting measures
Short HeadlineIslington Council claims £140,000 will be saved by not locking parks
StandfirstThe council believes not locking parks will save £140,000, yet residents voice public safety concerns
Islington Council has proposed to stop locking park gates across the borough but concerns about public safety and anti-social behaviour remain.
There are a total of 122 parks and open spaces in Islington, and the changes would effect 44 different spaces across the borough. Islington Council believes that this initiative would save £140,000, and plans to reinvest £40,000 back into the Park Guard Security.
However, according to the Islington Council website, locking parks in the spring and summer months only starts at 9pm and takes up to 3.5 hours to complete. This means most parks are not locked until late at night, diminishing the potential benefits from locking.
City News reached out to the Council to ask how they totalled £140,000, but they declined the opportunity for an interview.
We’re determined to make Islington a more equal place, and ensure resources are allocated where they are most needed and have the greatest impact.
Islington Council.
The Council hopes that this reinvestment back into security can help act as a deterrent to anti-social behaviour (ASB) and proposes; additional Park Guard patrols, temporary locks for sites if needed,
mobile CCTV towers if required, and static security presence for ongoing issues.
However, despite these new measures, Islington residents still have concerns about whether these features will be effective in tackling ASB in parks and green spaces.
“I still wouldn’t walk through the parks at night.”, a worried resident told City News, “I don’t see many lights around here.”
Others say they’re worried that people would “abuse the situation”.
It could be a good thing, but also a bad thing. I like walking in the green spaces but people are going to be in the parks late, smoking and playing loud music. I wouldn’t want to wonder the parks at night.
Islington resident, who wanted to remain anonymous.
According to CrimeRate UK, the crime rate in Islington is 5% higher than the rest of London and 27% higher than England, Wales & Northern Ireland’s overall figure.
“I can understand the community being nervous that they’re opening themselves up to more potential ASB”, said Charlie Hamilton Kay, DCEO of the charity ASB Help. “However, we have got a good toolkit that if it does happen we can address it.
It has the potential to give people more enjoyment of those areas so let’s see how it plays out.
Charlie Hamilton Kay, ASB Help.
City News reached out to the Metropolitan Police to speak about the Public Safety concerns, they failed to reply.
The Council has opened a survey for concerned residents to provide their feedback on the proposal, which will remain open until 7th April.
