A PARK in Hounslow which used to be plagued by violence and antisocial behaviour has been named one of London's safest.


Beaversfield Park in Hounslow West last week received a bronze award as part of the London Mayor's Safer Parks scheme.

Dukes Meadows and Chiswick House and Gardens both received gold awards, but the transformation of Beaversfield has been more dramatic.

Less than two years ago, it was a haven for drunken and disorderly yobs, with many people afraid to venture there after dark.

Vandals ripped up trees, kept neighbouring families up throughout the night and left the grass littered with empty cans and bottles of beer.

The problem was so bad the park was stripped of its Green Flag award in 2009, which it has since regained.

However, police from Hounslow West Safer Neighbourhood Team have since worked closely with friends of the park to address the problems.

Nearby residents are now encouraged to report antisocial behaviour and regular meetings and street briefings are held with a range of community groups to monitor goings-on.

Beaversfield has a history of violence. In 2004, the teenager Sayed Abbas was stabbed to death at Hounslow West tube station after a football game in the park erupted into violence. The previous year the body of a man stabbed to death was found in the park.

Dukes Meadows and Chiswick House and Gardens were among just 12 parks across the capital to received gold awards as part of the mayor's scheme.

At Chiswick House and Gardens, measures to tackle crime include landscaping and a 24-hour warden service to patrol and respond to anti-social behaviour in the park.

At Dukes Meadows, which was once considered a no-go zone, a friends group has helped transform the park into a safe, popular location thanks to £1m of funding.

Councillor Ed Mayne, Hounslow Council's lead member for crime and community safety, said: "This is fantastic recognition for three of Hounslow's famous open spaces, and testament to the hard work put in by many local people, together with the police and the council, to make our parks somewhere safe for all residents and visitors to enjoy."