Arson-hit Victoria Park in Denton gets CCTV in council and police crackdown to stop crime and disorder
CCTV cameras have been installed in a town centre park that has been plagued by anti-social behaviour.
Tameside Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have been working together to address concerns around criminal damage and anti-social behaviour in Victoria Park, Denton. Their targeted patrols and work with young groups has seen a 57 per cent reduction in problems, according to the local authorities.
The Friends of Victoria Park group saw ‘the worst anti-social behaviour, arson and criminal damage’ going on in their beloved greenspace last year.
In a letter, the Friends of Victoria Park said: “At the beginning of 2024, we saw the worst ASB, arson attack, and criminal damage in Victoria Park. Through working together in partnership with other agencies, the results were amazing and led to a massive reduction in those issues that had plagued Denton Victoria Park.
“We are pleased to say that the difference has been physically noticeable to our members and park users, who have expressed their thanks and credited your team.”
Now the council believes installing surveillance cameras is the best way to maintain that success. The footage will be shared in real time with the police as part of ongoing efforts to keep residents and park users safe.
Tameside Council’s executive member for towns, transport and connectivity, Coun Stephen Homer, said: “It’s fantastic to see the positive impact of our partnership working in tackling concerns in Victoria Park but we’re not sitting back, we want to proactively build on this work to further support the community and help prevent any further issues.
“The CCTV cameras within the park are a further strategy in our wider, ongoing approach to tackle the issue.
“Our approach has included council officers, the police, schools, housing associations and other agencies all working together to tackle this from all angles and I want to thank everyone involved for their effective input ,which has quite rightly been recognised by a GMP award.
“Victoria Park is a beautiful and well-loved community amenity and we will continue our dedicated approach to ensure people can safely enjoy it.”
GMP district commander for Tameside Chief Supt Chris Foster said: “The partnership working we have undertaken in order to improve the experience of the public wanting to use Victoria park has been a really good way to address local issues which affect our communities.
“The addition of CCTV cameras will not only help us with crime detection and prevention but will also allow us to monitor for vulnerable people who may be missing, and provide guardianship that will allow us to respond directly to any issues which may be arising.
“In delivering an outstanding neighbourhood policing offer, we must ensure that we continue to work together to maintain the improvements that have been made in the park and disseminate these beyond to other areas which our communities feel are causing them issues.
“We have seen a good reduction in ASB, burglary and other impactive offences and we will continue to work hard in the partnership arena to provide a coordinated response.”