THIS ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED IN THE HAVERING DAILY.
This evening Wednesday 23 July, the local Marshalls and Rise Park Conservative Action Team -Councillor Robert Benham, Bailey Nash-Gardner and Councillor Nisha Patel, will present their petition to the Full Council meeting at the Town Hall in Romford, calling for urgent action to improve safety in parks across Havering.
The ‘Safer Parks’ petition, signed by hundreds of residents, demands practical measures such as increased CCTV and secure gating to ensure local green spaces are safe and welcoming for all.
The petition was launched earlier this year following the decision by the Havering Residents Association-led Council to block a Conservative budget amendment in March. The amendment would have earmarked £500,000 to fund the locking of park gates at night and the installation of new CCTV systems in key parks identified as safety concerns.
Cllr. Nisha Patel speaking on behalf of the local team, told the Havering Daily:
“We put forward a sensible, fully costed proposal to make our parks safer – something residents consistently tell us they want. The administration, including Cllr. Philippa Crowder and Cllr. Robby Misir chose to vote it down. In response, we took the issue directly to local people, and the public has spoken loud and clear. Residents want safer parks, and this petition proves it.”
Concerns have grown over the past few years about antisocial behaviour and unsafe conditions in some parks, particularly in the evenings and at night. Many residents have voiced their frustration that the council has not done enough to protect and maintain these vital community assets.
The Conservative petition calls for:
Immediate investment in park CCTV coverage
Funding to lock park gates overnight to deter antisocial behaviour and for public
safety
The petition will be formally handed in during this week’s Full Council meeting where the Conservative group will urge the Havering Residents led council to back meaningful, cost- effective measures that put public safety first.
