People living near a park in Arnold have said that they welcome CCTV “wholeheartedly" after anti-social behaviour problems there. People have agreed that Muirfield Park needs surveillance with one person telling Nottinghamshire Live that they wouldn’t let their children play there because of the issues there.
People have told Nottinghamshire Live that they’ve voiced their concerns before about the fear of crime escalating on the park with CCTV being a possible solution. In 2019, it was announced that Muirfield Park would get a £100,000 revamp.
Rachel Lane, 36 lives near Muirfield Road. Rachel, who is currently unemployed, told Nottinghamshire Live that she wouldn’t let her children play in the park as it can be a “meeting point to cause noise and chaos.”
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Rachel said: “Before the park got done up, it was a dump but even now it looks better, I still wouldn’t let my kids play there. It is a nice park so it’s a shame really that there are groups of young people that go around and try intimidating others making them feel like they can’t use the park too.
“I’ve complained about the park before and I’ve walked past at night and there’s been people on there blaring music.”
Rachel continued and said: “I think CCTV is needed for most places whether it's a park, shop or whatever. With CCTV hopefully this will defer people from doing the wrong things and make them think twice about their actions.”
Beth Harper, 29 who lives in Arnold uses the park. Beth brings her children to the park.
The sales assistant said: “A lot of the kids here aren’t generally doing anything wrong. I do get that when you have kids in groups to some people, it can look intimidating.
“I have no problem with CCTV being in the park, I have two kids and CCTV may make a lot of people feel safer just knowing that it’s there.”
Roy Martin, 69 has heard people in the area complain about the park before. Roy who is now retired lives near the park although his area is classed as Bestwood.
Roy said: “I wholeheartedly welcome CCTV and I bet others around here do too. It is not just about young people being a nuisance because adults can be nuisicances too.”
Roy continued and said: “I’ve seen dog mess left around in this park before and as people know, that’s an offence, with CCTV fines may be easier to hand out.”
One person who chose to remain anonymous is happy to hear that CCTV will be in the park. They said: “There’s children going round on bikes sometimes and shouting abuse at people, for others who want to use the park because they have young children who just simply want to play feel that they can’t use it.”
The resident has lived in the area for over 15 years. They continued and said: “I’m over the moon that there’s CCTV in the park. If the CCTV doesn’t resolve anti social behaviour issues at least the police can find the faces and names of those responsible.”
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “A priority for the council is to reduce anti-social behaviour, crime and the fear of crime, and one of the ways we are doing that is by investing in new CCTV. We know how popular this park and open space is and it’s vital that we make sure that our residents feel safe. We’ve listened to residents’ concerns about this area and have put forward proposals to introduce CCTV. Residents in other parts of the borough, where CCTV has been installed, have seen a notable drop in anti-social behaviour and crime and we expect the same to happen here, if plans are approved.
“We have some fantastic facilities at Killisick Recreation Ground, including a brand new £100,000 play area that opened last year, and we want to make sure areas like this are safe for all our residents to enjoy.”
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