Antisocial behaviour
A place of their own
How involving young people in design can reduce antisocial behaviourVanessa Brothwell, Spaces&Places, October 2006
Case studies:
Crime and safety
Restoring Hanley Park
Evaluation of park layouts
Minimising car park crime
New Century Family Garden Project
Parks Constabulary
Park Watch
Video Voice Project
Drug abuse
Tackling drug abuse
Dog fouling and litter
Name and Shame Campaign - Litter Louts Beware!
Litter Wardens
Paws in the Park Partnership
Tavistock Gardens Regeneration Project
Crime and safety
Restoring Hanley Park
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
SRB4
Hanley Park
Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent
Hanley Park was designed in 1894 by Thomas Mawson, and its heritage value is recognised by its listing on the Statutory Register of Parks and Gardens. In recent years visitor numbers to Hanley Park have declined and acts of antisocial behaviour and vandalism have increased. Improvements will be installed over the next few years and will provide exciting and up-to-date facilities for all age groups. Work started in 2003 and included large-scale pruning of shrubberies to increase public safety. Improvements to the footpaths and main drives quickly followed, combined with improvements to the lakeside promenade in the form of a substantial area of decking and feature lighting to provide an attractive night time setting for events.
Annita Gibson, T: 01782 23255
Hanley Park
Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent
Hanley Park was designed in 1894 by Thomas Mawson, and its heritage value is recognised by its listing on the Statutory Register of Parks and Gardens. In recent years visitor numbers to Hanley Park have declined and acts of antisocial behaviour and vandalism have increased. Improvements will be installed over the next few years and will provide exciting and up-to-date facilities for all age groups. Work started in 2003 and included large-scale pruning of shrubberies to increase public safety. Improvements to the footpaths and main drives quickly followed, combined with improvements to the lakeside promenade in the form of a substantial area of decking and feature lighting to provide an attractive night time setting for events.
Annita Gibson, T: 01782 23255
Evaluation of park layouts
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Warley Woods Community Trust and Sandwell MBC
Warley Woods
Sandwell
The aims of the project were to evaluate the ways in which the park worked and to describe some of the spatial and design characteristics that influence use levels, and patterns of crime and fear. Its outcomes were design guidelines, including the easing of the complexity of routes across the park to encourage greater through movement, increasing visibility between perimeter streets and the park interior to promote greater surveillance and natural policing, selective pruning of some foliage to reduce fear levels. The study also resulted in the provision of new public facilities to attract greater numbers of people throughout the year.
Dr Sophia Psarra
Warley Woods
Sandwell
The aims of the project were to evaluate the ways in which the park worked and to describe some of the spatial and design characteristics that influence use levels, and patterns of crime and fear. Its outcomes were design guidelines, including the easing of the complexity of routes across the park to encourage greater through movement, increasing visibility between perimeter streets and the park interior to promote greater surveillance and natural policing, selective pruning of some foliage to reduce fear levels. The study also resulted in the provision of new public facilities to attract greater numbers of people throughout the year.
Dr Sophia Psarra
Minimising car park crime
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Ham Hill Country Park, Avon and Somerset Police
Him Hill Country Park
Stoke Sub Hamdon, Somerset
Ham Hill Country Park had been suffering from increasing crime rates during 2001-2002. The crimes were mainly taking place in the six car parks located around the site. To tackle this establishing pattern of crime, park officers teamed up with local police to develop a 'Vulnerable Vehicle Scheme' and an interpretive leaflet highlighting the vulnerability of cars within the park. This scheme aimed to bring the crime to the attention of the park visitors and try and make them aware of what they could do to help. The scheme was and continues to be a great success with crime being cut by half in 2003.
Katy Menday (Country Park Coordinator) or 01935 823617
Him Hill Country Park
Stoke Sub Hamdon, Somerset
Ham Hill Country Park had been suffering from increasing crime rates during 2001-2002. The crimes were mainly taking place in the six car parks located around the site. To tackle this establishing pattern of crime, park officers teamed up with local police to develop a 'Vulnerable Vehicle Scheme' and an interpretive leaflet highlighting the vulnerability of cars within the park. This scheme aimed to bring the crime to the attention of the park visitors and try and make them aware of what they could do to help. The scheme was and continues to be a great success with crime being cut by half in 2003.
Katy Menday (Country Park Coordinator) or 01935 823617
New Century Family Garden Project
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Residents Group, Groundwork
New Century Family Garden
Openshaw, East Manchester
The site was a small green enclosed by terraced housing that was drying out and suffering from problems such as fly-tipping, dog-fouling, joy-riding and dangerous surfacing. As a result of a community-led project to regenerate the area, the site now has mild steel gates at the alleyway entrances, which tackle crime and improve community safety. Drainage has also been improved, with ornamental pots, flowers and climbers creating an area, which is fully maintained by the residents. Funding for the project was secured through the New Deal for Communities and the private housing sector.
New Century Family Garden
Openshaw, East Manchester
The site was a small green enclosed by terraced housing that was drying out and suffering from problems such as fly-tipping, dog-fouling, joy-riding and dangerous surfacing. As a result of a community-led project to regenerate the area, the site now has mild steel gates at the alleyway entrances, which tackle crime and improve community safety. Drainage has also been improved, with ornamental pots, flowers and climbers creating an area, which is fully maintained by the residents. Funding for the project was secured through the New Deal for Communities and the private housing sector.
Parks Constabulary
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Hammersmith and Fulham London Borough (www.lbhf.gov.uk)
53 parks across the borough
Hammersmith and Fulham, West London
With a budget increase of approximately £125,000 in April 2001, a Parks Constabulary of one Inspector, three Sergeants and twenty-one Constables was formed, and began operating in July of that year. The officers have powers to enforce the by-laws within the parks and open spaces, and possess limited arrest powers to enforce Criminal Law. Patrols run from 6am to 12.30am in the summer and up to 10pm in the winter, covering over 53 parks and open spaces, with permanent patrols in three of the largest parks. Crime rates have seen a decline of nearly 50% in these three parks and a more modest decline in the others, compared to a steep rise London-wide.
Stan Davis T: 020 8753 3352
53 parks across the borough
Hammersmith and Fulham, West London
With a budget increase of approximately £125,000 in April 2001, a Parks Constabulary of one Inspector, three Sergeants and twenty-one Constables was formed, and began operating in July of that year. The officers have powers to enforce the by-laws within the parks and open spaces, and possess limited arrest powers to enforce Criminal Law. Patrols run from 6am to 12.30am in the summer and up to 10pm in the winter, covering over 53 parks and open spaces, with permanent patrols in three of the largest parks. Crime rates have seen a decline of nearly 50% in these three parks and a more modest decline in the others, compared to a steep rise London-wide.
Stan Davis T: 020 8753 3352
Park Watch
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
London Borough of Haringey
Various
Haringey, North London
Park watch is a voluntary scheme adopted by five parks in the Borough. Park Watch was set up to engage and increase community involvement in local parks, and volunteers were recruited through existing 'Friends' groups. Volunteers act as the 'eyes of the park' by monitoring standards, reporting damage and incidents, repair works and contributing to community activities and the development of the park, building relationships, creating ownership and informing parks' management plans. All volunteers undergo an induction with the Council and police concerning health and safety reporting incident procedures. This initiative has improved reporting arrangements, enabled closer working with the police and providing feedback for park development.
Ashley Grey T: 0208 489 5672
Various
Haringey, North London
Park watch is a voluntary scheme adopted by five parks in the Borough. Park Watch was set up to engage and increase community involvement in local parks, and volunteers were recruited through existing 'Friends' groups. Volunteers act as the 'eyes of the park' by monitoring standards, reporting damage and incidents, repair works and contributing to community activities and the development of the park, building relationships, creating ownership and informing parks' management plans. All volunteers undergo an induction with the Council and police concerning health and safety reporting incident procedures. This initiative has improved reporting arrangements, enabled closer working with the police and providing feedback for park development.
Ashley Grey T: 0208 489 5672
Video Voice Project
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
London Borough of Islington
Gillespie Park
Islington, North London
Gillespie Park and an adjacent newly built residential estate experienced an increase in vandalism. In order to counteract this effect, the Video Voice outreach project was set up to encourage young people to consider what they and the local community wanted from the park. The project linked with the Youth & Play Service and the local Housing Association, and the video created highlighted messages from local young people about what they wanted and this included the creation of a youth club, improved safety in an adjacent garage site and redevelopment of the play area. The project had various results including a major reduction in localised arson and vandalism, a greater sense of ownership among users and creation of partnerships between the community and the Council.
Sarah Tibbatts T: 0207 354 5162
Gillespie Park
Islington, North London
Gillespie Park and an adjacent newly built residential estate experienced an increase in vandalism. In order to counteract this effect, the Video Voice outreach project was set up to encourage young people to consider what they and the local community wanted from the park. The project linked with the Youth & Play Service and the local Housing Association, and the video created highlighted messages from local young people about what they wanted and this included the creation of a youth club, improved safety in an adjacent garage site and redevelopment of the play area. The project had various results including a major reduction in localised arson and vandalism, a greater sense of ownership among users and creation of partnerships between the community and the Council.
Sarah Tibbatts T: 0207 354 5162
Drug abuse
Tackling drug abuse
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Jumbles Reservoir Country Park, Greater Manchester Police Bolton North Drugs Unit
Jumbles Reservoir Country Park
Bolton
Jumbles Country Park was experiencing a vast increase in the number of complaints regarding disposed syringes. To tackle this problem Glynn Haworth, Head Ranger, displayed posters in an attempt to reduce drug use on the site. When this didn't work, the park teamed up with Greater Manchester Police and Bolton North Drugs Unit. This resulted in plain-clothed officers visiting the site on a regular basis and members of the BNDU giving advice and interpretation material to those using drugs on the site. Due to this determined effort, the situation has improved significantly.
Glynn Haworth (Head Ranger) 01204 853360
Jumbles Reservoir Country Park
Bolton
Jumbles Country Park was experiencing a vast increase in the number of complaints regarding disposed syringes. To tackle this problem Glynn Haworth, Head Ranger, displayed posters in an attempt to reduce drug use on the site. When this didn't work, the park teamed up with Greater Manchester Police and Bolton North Drugs Unit. This resulted in plain-clothed officers visiting the site on a regular basis and members of the BNDU giving advice and interpretation material to those using drugs on the site. Due to this determined effort, the situation has improved significantly.
Glynn Haworth (Head Ranger) 01204 853360
Dog fouling and litter
Name and Shame Campaign - Litter Louts Beware!
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Boston Standard Newspapers
Boston Borough Area
Boston, Lincolnshire
Litter louts and irresponsible dog owners are being hit hard in Boston with a new initiative from the Borough Council. A zero tolerance approach is being taken with offenders littering streets and greenspaces, fourteen £50 fines have already been issued. The public are easily able to report litter bugs. We also use CCTV footage as evidence, capturing photos of offenders and asking the public to identify them by publishing a 'rogues gallery' in the local Press. We will send fines to their door through the post, giving 14 days to speak to us 'under caution', about their side of the story. Incident cards are provided at various council offices, for members of the public who see people littering, to pass on their details to us. The Leader of the Council, Cllr J Dobson said: "We are determined to stamp out this irresponsible and anti-social behaviour and I hope that our actions will convince litter louts that we mean business. I hope they will choose to mend their ways rather than pay the fixed penalty fines that we will certainly impose."
Matt Fisher T: 01205 366007
Boston Borough Area
Boston, Lincolnshire
Litter louts and irresponsible dog owners are being hit hard in Boston with a new initiative from the Borough Council. A zero tolerance approach is being taken with offenders littering streets and greenspaces, fourteen £50 fines have already been issued. The public are easily able to report litter bugs. We also use CCTV footage as evidence, capturing photos of offenders and asking the public to identify them by publishing a 'rogues gallery' in the local Press. We will send fines to their door through the post, giving 14 days to speak to us 'under caution', about their side of the story. Incident cards are provided at various council offices, for members of the public who see people littering, to pass on their details to us. The Leader of the Council, Cllr J Dobson said: "We are determined to stamp out this irresponsible and anti-social behaviour and I hope that our actions will convince litter louts that we mean business. I hope they will choose to mend their ways rather than pay the fixed penalty fines that we will certainly impose."
Matt Fisher T: 01205 366007
Litter Wardens
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
CVNI (Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland)
Laurel Glen
Poleglass Estate, South Belfast
There was a major litter problem with fly-tipping, dumping of refuse by locals who miss the bin collection day, and persistent littering by children and night-time drinkers. The Council's Department for the Environment, who owns the land, has funded CVNI to employ four full time litter wardens. The project started with a litter awareness week, to explain the aims of the project and ask for co-operation from local residents. As well as picking up litter, the wardens can take action against persistent offenders, who may be traced by identifying names and addresses from dumped domestic rubbish. The triple approach of educating, clearing up and prosecuting is proving effective in lessening the problem.
CVNI Belfast T: 028 9064 5169
Laurel Glen
Poleglass Estate, South Belfast
There was a major litter problem with fly-tipping, dumping of refuse by locals who miss the bin collection day, and persistent littering by children and night-time drinkers. The Council's Department for the Environment, who owns the land, has funded CVNI to employ four full time litter wardens. The project started with a litter awareness week, to explain the aims of the project and ask for co-operation from local residents. As well as picking up litter, the wardens can take action against persistent offenders, who may be traced by identifying names and addresses from dumped domestic rubbish. The triple approach of educating, clearing up and prosecuting is proving effective in lessening the problem.
CVNI Belfast T: 028 9064 5169
Paws in the Park Partnership
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Cheltenham BC
City-wide
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
With seven out of 10 households owning dogs in Cheltenham, dog fouling is a serious issue in parks. An annual event was started in 1998 in partnership with the RSPCA to educate people and increase awareness of the issues involved. This one day event is run jointly by the parks service and the council's dog warden, and is designed to promote responsible dog ownership, now being a well-know local TV event and securing a great deal of sponsorship from local pet shops. This event is matched by the council's commitment to reduce dog fouling, providing over 1.5 million dog waste bags over three years, free of charge.
Rebecca Owen (Community Parks Development Officer)
T: 01242 774 725
City-wide
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
With seven out of 10 households owning dogs in Cheltenham, dog fouling is a serious issue in parks. An annual event was started in 1998 in partnership with the RSPCA to educate people and increase awareness of the issues involved. This one day event is run jointly by the parks service and the council's dog warden, and is designed to promote responsible dog ownership, now being a well-know local TV event and securing a great deal of sponsorship from local pet shops. This event is matched by the council's commitment to reduce dog fouling, providing over 1.5 million dog waste bags over three years, free of charge.
Rebecca Owen (Community Parks Development Officer)
T: 01242 774 725
Tavistock Gardens Regeneration Project
Partners:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Site name:
Location:
Description:
Contact:
Tavistock Improvement Group
Tavistock Gardens
Notting Hill, West London
A local community group, the Tavistock Improvement Group, developed the Tavistock Gardens regeneration plan. The garden serves a diverse community, in a deprived area, and it is anticipated that the regeneration will be a catalyst for further improvements to the area. After five years of work, led by the group in partnership with the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Notting Hill Housing Trust and the Police, the park was opened at the end of 2001. Conflicts between dog-walkers and other park users, while often heated, were overcome with the development of a dog-free area, through extensive community consultation. Many more improvements are planned, with current work focusing on the development of a children's play area.
James Caplin T: 0207 727 496
Tavistock Gardens
Notting Hill, West London
A local community group, the Tavistock Improvement Group, developed the Tavistock Gardens regeneration plan. The garden serves a diverse community, in a deprived area, and it is anticipated that the regeneration will be a catalyst for further improvements to the area. After five years of work, led by the group in partnership with the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Notting Hill Housing Trust and the Police, the park was opened at the end of 2001. Conflicts between dog-walkers and other park users, while often heated, were overcome with the development of a dog-free area, through extensive community consultation. Many more improvements are planned, with current work focusing on the development of a children's play area.
James Caplin T: 0207 727 496