Taking dim view of park problems

Work is under way to turn off lights in a park in a bid to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Southwell Town Council is looking to switch off at least one light in the War Memorial Recreation Ground late in the evening to prevent youngsters congregating beneath it.

Youths gather under the light at the edge of the park, near Bishop’s Drive, according to residents who have also reported graffiti, vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

The chairman of Southwell Safer Neighbourhood Group, Mr Peter Harris, said the light was not controlled by the town council so they were liaising with Nottinghamshire County Council’s highways department to ensure it was turned off.

He said: “We haven’t been able to sort it out yet but we are hoping we can get it turned off after 10pm.”

Mr Harris said there had not recently been reports of trouble.

He said: “I suspect with the increase of light in the evenings we might get some issues. It has been a regular meeting place for many years.”

Southwell’s PCSO Richard Dunn confirmed the police had not been called to any incidents in the park, except for a small paper fire.

Mr John Robinson, a member of the group, suggested all lights along a path in the park were turned off at 9pm.

The lights through the park are controlled by the town council and are turned off at 11pm.

Mr Robinson said: “It would only be an extra 20 or 30 yards for people to walk round rather than go through the park.

“We could put up a notice advising people that the lights were going to go off.”

Mrs Penny Rainbow, a town councillor, said the reason the light nearest Bishop’s Drive would be turned off was because residents nearest to it were suffering from the antisocial behaviour.

She understood there would be a cost of about £30 or £40 to turn the light off.