Agenda item

A report by the Community Safety Manager

The Markets Manager presented the report noting he was doing so under his previous role as the Anti-Social Behaviour Officer, having knowledge of the procedure when previously tabled to committee.  The report tabled sought the continuation of funding for the locking of the gates at Central Park by BTAC.

On the 6^th September 2021, it had been agreed that the committee would fund the closing and locking of Central Park during the periods of darkness for an initial 1-year period.

It was then reviewed by members at their meeting in August 2022 where it was agreed to continue funding the locking of the gates for a further year, in a bid to continue to reduce crime, nuisance and anti-social behaviour.  At that point a change in the timing of the locking of Central Park was also agreed, in line with feedback provided by officers and residents on the initial locking of the gates. 

Advising members of the statistics the Markets Manager confirmed the following comparative information over the period 6^th September 2020 to the 6^th September 2021, against the period 7^th September 2021 to 6^th September 2022 as follows:

Total calls to the police 124 with an average of 10 per month, against 63 calls averaging 6 per month.

Daytime calls to Police (05:30 – 20:00 hours) 91 averaging 7.6 per month, against 52 averaging 5.2 per month.

Calls to the Police Within closing hours (20:00 – 05:30 hours) 33 averaging 2.75 per month, against 11 averaging 1.1 per month.

Statistics for the period 7 September 2022 to 31^st May 2023:

Total calls to Police 38 averaging 4.22 per month.

Daytime calls (0530 – 2000) 35 averaging 2.88 per month

Calls within closure hours (20:00 0 – 05:30 hours) 3 averaging 0.33 per month.

The Community Safety Manager commented on the report as follows:

“It was clear from the reported police incidents over the last three years that the locking of central park at night had been a real success. Annual reports to the police had reduced from 124 (averaging 10 a month), in the year prior to when the park was locked at night, to now 38 (averaging 4 a month) this year. The relief, peace and quiet the reduction must have had for residents living adjacent to Central Park was something that we must continue with going forward, therefore my recommendation will be to continue with this valuable service going forward.”

Inspector Clarkson of Lincolnshire Police also commented on the report as follows:

“Community feedback from those that live in residential properties around the park has historically suggested that antisocial behaviour and crime has been more prevalent in the hours of darkness, and that it is more disruptive during these hours. Calls to police have been reduced again due to the park being closed in the hours of darkness, saving police time, and secondly and more importantly prevented members of the community from becoming a victim of crime and/or ASB.                                                              

StreetSafe data for the area in and around the park would suggest that one of the main factors reported by members of the community in relation to feeling safe is adequate lighting. During the hours of darkness unlit areas increase the feeling of anxiety and make identifying those responsible for committing crime or ASB harder.

The reduction in calls for service to police have meant that officers have been freer to deal with other incidents. I believe there is benefit to the community in restricting access during the hours of darkness which outweighs keeping the park accessible all the time.

Operation Plotting is the police response to street-based violence and antisocial behaviour in Boston. Four hotspot locations have been identified and Central Park is one of those areas. Crime and ASB is at or below average levels, however, closing the park during the hours of darkness is a tactic that limits ASB and criminal behaviour during those hours.

The figures show that crime/ASB has been reduced during night-time hours and crime and/or ASB isn’t being displaced.”

Committee deliberation followed which included:

Overall members supported the continuation of the locking of the gates, noting the positive impact on the residents within the area and the reduction on the police’s time being called out to incidents.  Concern was noted at the problems in respect of damage to the fencing surrounding the park and members were advised it was being addressed.

On questioning the lack of information in respect of displaced ASB activity to other open space areas within the town, a member was referred to the comments of Inspector Clarkson who had stated that ‘the figures show that crime/ASB has been reduced during night-time hours and crime and/or ASB isn’t being displaced.”

Addressing the proposed closing times within the report members voiced concerns at the closing time for the Autumn period of 20:00 hours, stating they felt it to be too late as darker nights drew in over that time.  The suggestion of amending that to 18:00 hours was generally agreed as a preferred option.

RESOLVED:

That the Boston Town Area Committee:

• Have reviewed, commented, and challenged the information presented within the report.

• Have agreed to the continuation of locking the park for another 2 years before next review subject to the agreed following amendment:

That the Community Safety Manager (report author) be delegated to go back to the company who will provide the service of locking of the gates, and ask for a change to the timing in respect of the Autumn closing hours to 18:00 hours and not 20:00 hours as within the report, with the proviso that there are no additional costs to the quote already provided

• Have agreed that officers be recommended to enter into a contract for two years with the existing contractor following the procurement exercise.