Council says it cannot afford to lock parks at night despite claims someone will be hurt

By Tara O’Connor, Local Democracy Reporter

Croydon council claims it does not have enough money to lock parks at night, despite concerns someone may be “stabbed or killed”.

The council was asked whether it would consider locking the borough’s parks again at a meeting last night.

But cabinet member for streets and environment, Councillor Scott Roche, said there were no plans for the council to start locking up parks at night.

Councillor Roche said: “A large number of our parks are open spaces and as such aren’t lockable.

“Given the council’s financial restraints there are no plans to lock all of our parks at night.”

The resident who asked the question responded that he would lock the parks himself if the council gave him the keys, adding: “Somebody will be stabbed or killed.”

In another written question to the council, it was asked what is being done to keep residents safe from violence in the Old Town area.

Councillor Ola Kolade, cabinet member for community safety, responded, outlining measures the council had taken.

He said the council’s neighbourhood support officers had joined police on their patrols, including using the CCTV van to assist operations in the area.

Cllr Kolade added: “The youth engagement service has also conducted outreach work in the area to work with the young people in the area who are congregating there during peak hours.

“While I appreciate this will not stop all anti-social behaviour in the area, we are taking robust steps to catch and stop those responsible.”

Pictured top: Wandle Park in Croydon (Picture: Anthony Spratt/Wikimedia Commons)