Medway Liberal Democrats want to protect our parks from Anti-Social Behaviour

Our towns' parks are one of Medway's most vital public assets, improving the mental and physical wellbeing for residents and providing space to for communities to exercise, socialise and connect. Anti-social behaviour in our parks is therefore undermining the benefits that parks bring to communities throughout Medway. Over the last few months KM Online has highlighted this in a number of reports.  www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/news/clampdown-on-anti-social-off-road-bikes-295263/

Stuart Bourne, spokesperson for Medway Liberal Democrats said, "One of Medway Council’s most important responsibilities is to maintain our parks for the benefit of our communities. This work is made easier by the countless volunteers and community groups who help care for them. Unfortunately, anti-social behaviour has become an all too prevalent issue in our parks, turning spaces that should be for community benefit to spaces that locals avoid.

Liberal Democrats are urging Medway Council to accept that it has comprehensively responsibility to tackle the issue of anti-social behaviour in our towns' parks. Greater efforts need to be carried out by the Council, along with the police, to actively make our parks a better place for the community to access without the fear of anti social behaviour. Using the full extent of the powers available to them, in order to minimise disruption to Medway's communities."

In July, Medway Liberal Democrats we were pleased to announce that the temporary CCTV we pressured Medway Council to install in Rainham Recreation Ground was officially made a permanent camera on the Council’s CCTV list. After the 6-month trial, a dramatic drop in crime and anti-social behaviour has been recorded, with instances of nitrous oxide- and drug-taking dropping to almost zero.

We championed this campaign because of the years of drug-taking, vandalism and graffiti occurring in the park without anything being done to stop it by the underfunded police and Council. Even when reported to local Conservative councillors, the reports have been dismissed. Believing that Medway residents deserve better, Medway Liberal Democrats began a petition to insist CCTV be installed in the park to ensure the safety of its users.

We would like to thank all the residents who signed the petition we set up back in June 2022, as well as the other residents and groups like the Rainham Recreation Ground Community Group who also ran petitions to get CCTV installed. It goes to show what can be done if we all work together. It has been a difficult battle, as Medway Council did not want to do it, nor did the Rainham Conservative Councillors, who insisted that it was not cost-effective, and residents should police the park themselves.

Stuart said, ‘It doesn’t much to realise that the park’s anti-social problems can be reduced with the additional of CCTV. That is why it always shocked me when we got so much push back from the local councillors when we suggested it. Therefore, we are delighted that the council is now agreeing with us and that the CCTV is here to stay. This is a great victory for all those who signed the petitions and made their voice heard. This a victory for the community and common sense.’

Medway Liberal Democrats will continue to push for safer streets and parks across Medway, through the effective use of community policing and CCTV where necessary.

ENDS