Figures reveal extent of parks crime wave

11.13.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 10th Dec 2007

APS Paul Flanagan, PC Vince Jenkins, Cllr Ron Aitken and PC Sean Tooley

The extent of crime and anti-social behaviour in Haringey's open spaces has been revealed in figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats. Official figures obtained from the Metropolitan Police show that between December 2006 and November this year, 527 offences were committed in parks, commons and heaths in Haringey prompting Lib Dems to highlight the need for the Parks Constabulary and to further question Haringey Council's plans to disband the service.

Of the 527 offences, there were 127 robberies, 71 thefts, 36 incidents of actual bodily harm, and a variety of other serious offences including 13 assaults, 36 bag snatches and 107 people were apprehended for possession of cannabis.

Cllr Ron Aitken, Lib Dem Crime and Community Safety Spokesperson, comments:

"These staggering figures show how complacent Labour is when they propose to disband the Parks Police. Visitors and staff in the parks without adequate police cover are vulnerable to assault, drug dealing and robbery. At a time when the Met Police are stretched to near breaking point, the proposed alternative would have be to dial 999 on the public system to summon help when being attacked or intimidated by drug gangs.

"In contrast the Parks Police are equipped and trained, with three fully-trained dogs to see off the criminals. Under Labour's plan there would be no cover in the middle of the night when much of this crime takes place in unenclosed open spaces or woods.

"Those people whom the Parks Police have helped in the past year surely would say they are worth every penny."

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, adds:

"Keeping up the public faith to enjoy our parks and public spaces should be a priority - not an area for failings. Haringey must put the safety of local residents first."