Further to Councillor Lee Chamberlain’s letter (‘Unlocked parks at night is a false saving’, Opinion, December 24), I entirely agree with him.
Unlocking parks at night is a daft idea because it gives free access to anti-social behaviour and other criminal activity.
Cllr Chris Bond’s statement that there was no evidence to suggest there would be a rise in crime if park gates were left open is premature because such evidence will only materialise after gates are left open. Why invite crime to prove a point one way or another? Even so, there is inconsistency about the council’s behaviour because they have supported provision of hundreds of ‘alleygates’ to protect residents’ properties adjacent to parks by providing unrestricted access to parks at night.
It is surprising no Labour councillor has opposed the scheme when there is considerable disapproval among their constituents. It is certainly a vote loser and setback for Cllr Bambos Charalambous, who is campaigning to defeat David Burrowes at the coming general election. Other councillors should consider their position at future council elections.
Surely, when the council is spending £40million on a group of cyclists, they could find £27,000 to lock the parks at night.
G A Musey
Mitchell Road, Palmers Green
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