Romford Councillor Launches Petition For Safer Parks And Closing Gates.

Councillor David Taylor has launched a petition calling for Havering Council to make Havering’s parks safer. The petition comes after councillors debated antisocial behaviour (ASB) in parks, in November. 

On November 20, 2024, Havering Councillors debated antisocial behaviour in Havering’s Parks. Councillor Taylor used his speech to highlight a series of attacks on women and vulnerable people, and was interrupted by the Cabinet Member (Cllr Barry Mugglestone) to be told that these incidents do not “take place at night, and so have nothing to do with locking the parks“. Councillor Taylor outlined how Romford’s parks, in particular, are in areas with higher ASB and that they back on to resident’s gardens and homes.

Councillor Taylor told the Havering Daily

“I am sick of hearing about horrific incidents taking place in our parks. These fantastic green spaces are special part of the character of our town and country borough and we must ensure they can be enjoyed by all. I have launched a petition calling for the HRA Administration to make the parks safer, either through locking the gates or putting CCTV by entrances and exits. These incidents are taking place at night, as well as the day, and we need to do something about it.

I hope people will support this petition and help my stand up for safer parks”. 

Councillor Taylor continued:

“The HRA once walked out of a meeting in the Town Hall, because Cllr Mugglestone was told the parks would go to ‘rack and ruin’ under him. I don’t think we’re at ‘rack and ruin’, but people are afraid and something needs to be done. 

Under the Conservatives, money was set aside for the upgrade of Havering’s CCTV and that’s nearly complete. There is still money available, in the same pot, and so I want this administration to commit to expanding the CCTV to cover our parks. If they can also lock the gates, perhaps even working with local Friends groups or volunteers, then this needs to be explored”. 

During the council meeting on November 20, the Administration committed to producing a report on parks ASB and bringing it to councillors for review. Councillor Taylor says that he has asked for a progress report, or timeline on the report and received a ‘stern’ reply.

“I was told that I’ll see the report, ‘when it is ready’, that’s it., a unnecessarily stern reply. When I asked for a timeline, I was met with silence. If that’s how we’re going to work, then it’s not possible to work with the administration on this. That leaves me with little option other than to launch a public petition. 

I trust the HRA will change their mind, and work with myself and other concerned councillors. Keeping people safe in our parks has nothing to do with party politics, it’s our duty”. 

You can sign Councillor Taylor’s petition at www.davidtaylor.online/petition. 

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