Private security guards are to be employed to patrol a number of South Derbyshire’s parks as part of the Safer South Derbyshire Partnership’s work to cut anti-social behaviour in the district.
And, the Partnership says, the four-week trial should save taxpayers’ money. In previous years damage to parks has cost thousands of pounds to repair. In addition, it has often resulted in play areas and other facilities being put out of use for long periods of time.
The trial scheme is due to start on July 21 and will involve a security guard and dog patrolling four parks – Swadlincote Woodlands and Eureka Park in Swadlincote, Newhall Park, and Maurice Lee Memorial Park in Church Gresley.
Damage in the parks happens most often at the weekend, and so the patrols will operate on Thursdays from 9pm to midnight and on Fridays and Saturdays between 9pm and 2am.
The guards will move troublemakers on, provide a visible presence to deter them and help reassure residents in the areas concerned. At the end of each shift they will report back to the District’s Careline service. Wardens and park keepers will then be able to get information about any damage that has occurred, removing the need for them to spend time searching it out and in turn cutting the risk of injury to park users.
What they say
Martin Hall, a resident of Swadlincote Woodlands and Chair of the Neighbour Watch group there said: “We welcome the initiative. The Woodlands park is often used as a thoroughfare by those who have been drinking in town and they can be a nuisance and make residents feel uneasy.
“We think the patrols will make a difference and look forward to taking part in the evaluation of the scheme at the end of the four-week period.”
The Safer South Derbyshire Partnership will use staff log sheets, calls for police service and Careline records as well as feedback from the community to assess the scheme and to advise use of any future Neighbourhood Wardens or Police Support Officers.
Karen Talbot, Community Safety Officer for South Derbyshire, said: “We feel this is a relatively small investment in a scheme that could make a significant difference. Because of the huge areas the parks cover and the fact that trees, bushes and other features provide cover, they are difficult areas to monitor.
“We hope that by providing them with dedicated cover we will reduce problems that have been associated with them and improve the quality of life for residents and legitimate park users.”
