CONCERNED neighbours of a public park have rallied together in a bid to dissuade the council from cutting back on park security.

A petition was submitted by neighbours of The Croft park, in Glover Road, Pinner, at last Thursday’s cabinet meeting in opposition to the plans to save £80,000 each year by reducing expenditure in park maintenance which would leave 16 parks across Harrow unlocked overnight.

The plan, which was included as a part of February’s budget, will be implemented in September.

Conservative councillor for the Pinner South ward Kamaljit Chana handed in the petition on behalf of his constituents, which had 305 signatures.

He told the Observer after the meeting: “It is absolutely ludicrous. The gates in this park were installed around 10 years ago specifically because of reports of anti-social behaviour, drug-taking and even an incident of arson in the park. Our hope is that the council will see sense, listen to local residents, and reverse this decision.”

“It is a no-brainer,” said one of the leading petitioners, Eranga Gunawardena, a 41-year-old engineer of Glover Road, Pinner. “Everyone I asked signed.”

The key concern for neighbours of The Croft is that by leaving them unlocked it could lead to a return of past problems.

Linda Mowle, secretary of the Harrow Weald Bowling Club, got in touch with the Observer as she is also concerned about how the changes could affect the club’s use of Harrow Weald Recreation Ground in Boxtree Lane, Harrow.

She said: “It is the worry of
anti-social behaviour. If the gates are locked, it is less likely that people will try and vandalise. If it is left open, then it is a free for all. It’s a nonsensical idea and we are all rather concerned.”

The council hopes to enlist a team of volunteers to maintain and lock the parks across the borough, but that idea has been shrugged off by Mr Gunawardena.

“We pay council tax, so it is not really our responsibility to do that,” he said.

This is not the first petition the council has received in opposition
to the issue.

Neighbourhood champion Christine Hawkes, 67, of Weighton Road, Harrow, submitted a petition with 84 names to the council’s cabinet in April.

Also in opposition to the plans is Conservative MP for Harrow East, Bob Blackman, who said: “Certain parks in Harrow are currently locked for good reason and it is a false economy to do otherwise. The costs to the community will be both financial and social if the council begins to turn a blind eye.”

Harrow Council portfolio holder for environment and community safety, councillor Asad Omar said: “These plans will save the council around £80,000 a year. Cabinet has agreed to make this saving and we are now discussing with park users, ward councillors and other residents how we will implement it – for example, would they be willing to help with locking or unlocking gates. We are also taking the views of our partners in the police into account. We would not simply make a change like this if we thought it would put the safety of our residents at risk.”