THIRD PUBLIC MEETING AUGUST 13th 2009 - SAFETY IN THE PARKS

At the meeting of the Friends of Clarence, Holmfield and Thornes Parks, held in the Holmfield Arms on 13th August, the members considered the issues of safety and security in the Parks.

We were joined by PC McMaster and PCSO Zakria of the Neighbourhood Police Team and by Gary Sherrington and Mick Duffield from Wakefield Council. The object of the meeting was to put to these two organisations suggestions on how to make people feel safer and more secure in the Parks.

Members agreed that it was important for all incidents of misbehaviour, criminal damage etc. to be reported as quickly as possible so that the Police and Council can respond immediately. Information is needed to tell people how and where to make such reports. Several other suggestions were made about improving visibility on some of the paths, tidiness and cleanliness, erecting more information and direction signs, making security patrollers more obvious - all ways to encourage more people to use the Parks.

The police and council officers thanked the members for their suggestions and agreed to take them forward.