Special report mill lane Park

Cadley and Greyfriars Area

Special Report – Mill Lane Park, Preston.

Residents have long been complaining to police about youths causing problems on Mill Lane Park. They said that youths gather at all times of the day and night to take drugs, drink alcohol and the resultant rowdy behaviour was disturbing residents. Criminal damage type crime also took place around the site, which is believed to be linked to these youths. Police have targeted the area over the last year, issuing youth referrals, fixed penalty notices and making arrests, however the problems have continued, as a result of which, it was decided to tackle the site itself.

Before After

The picture on the left shows the main problem that the site had working against it – the hedge, in excess of 7 foot high, shielding the entire park. Those committing anti-social behaviour and criminal damage on the park did so completely unseen due to the blanket of cover afforded by the hedge. You will notice that you can only just see the top of the park slide, and cannot see the changing rooms at all. The picture on the right shows the site afterwards. As you can see, the area is opened up completely.

You can also see the sheer height of the hedge more clearly in these two pictures. Passers could not see over to report any problems as the hedge towered above them. You can see that not only is it way taller than the boy in the picture, but it also covered the bus shelter!

Again, afterwards, in the left picture, you can clearly see the picnic bench where the troublemakers gathered in complete hidden safety, on the right hand side. Now they are completely exposed. In the picture on the right you can see some of the debris they left behind- beer cans, litter and tiny clear plastic drug bags.

Continued….

This is a great example of a partnership approach to problem solving policing in Lancashire. When attempts at tackling the offender’s behaviour itself did not work, we looked at other contributory factors, and realised that the park design itself was an issue. As a result, we then worked along side Preston Council Parks Department to make environmental changes to the park itself, so that those causing the problems did not want to use it anymore.

And here are the men that did the work. For those who don’t know me, I am the one in the centre with the ‘short’ hair, pictured with Preston City Council workers, who helped out on the day.

It was hard work, as the hedge was about 90 metres in length, and in places 7 feet high. There was so much hedge cut off that it took the 4 council workers all day to chip it away. It was worth it though, as residents are now very happy with the results. Since the work was done, one resident who said she had had no sleep for years due to the anti-social behaviour taking place, told police that finally she had slept soundly that first weekend after the hedge was ‘trimmed’. She also went on to say that she went to the bench area on the park on the weekend mornings, to do her usual check for beer cans and wine bottles etc, but there were none at all, indicating that it was not being abused by the youths. She was extremely happy.

Kids that used to hang round the park were heard saying that they now couldn’t use the park as someone had cut the hedge back! Result!

Whilst we were there, we also cleaned graffiti off the bus shelter, put up a CCTV sign and also made alterations to part of a fence, where the youths also gathered and caused nuisance to residents. I sincerely hope this puts an end to the matter, and gives the residents some well-earned, long term, peace and quiet. They have earned it!

Thanks for reading,

PC 2615 Iain Shrager.

Cadley and Greyfriars Community Beat Manager.

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