A Park Patrolling Officer appointed to monitor and provide security services at parks and open spaces in the London Borough of Bromley, recently played a part in accosting two armed muggers in the 200 acre Crystal Palace Park.
Karen Jones, who is employed by Ward Security to provide a daily point of contact, was on duty in the park this summer when she heard a female screaming and saw two males running away. She quickly established the men had held up the female at knife point and had ran away after the victim had defended herself. Karen alerted her colleague Adam Pegram to pursue the offenders and called 999. Karen and Adam then helped the police to search and apprehend the offenders, one of whom was arrested in the park.
Afterwards Karen Jones said: “We are pleased to be of assistance to the park users and the police. This incident aside, Crystal Palace Park is a lovely place used regularly for sports and cultural events that many local residents frequently enjoy visiting. I have already had the pleasure of meeting some of the Friends of Crystal Palace Park and it is good to see they are reassured to have a point of contact for security within the park.”
And Councillor Tim Stevens, Executive Councillor for Public Protection said: “Our parks and open spaces are safe places for everyone to enjoy and this was a comparatively rare incident. But I would like to thank the Ward Security team for their swift response, which was highly professional as ever. Our contractor provides a routine patrol service across all of our parks and green spaces and often provides help and support to members of the public as well as being an obvious visual deterrent. The officers, who patrol with their dogs, work closely with the Police and this sends a strong message that anti-social and criminal behaviour will not be tolerated in our Borough.”
The Ward team is on duty every day from 2pm until parks are locked – usually at 9pm – and during this time Karen Jones and the team carry out frequent patrols around the sites.
About the firm
Ward Security is a Kent-based provider of security guarding, providing a full range of security services including guard dog security, CCTV security systems, key holding and patrol services. See www.wardsecurity.co.uk.
