Call for more police patrols in parks after attacks

A spate of serious attacks in parks across Norwich has prompted calls for an increased presence of police officers.

Members of Norwich City Council and representatives for Norfolk Police are in talks about bringing in additional safety measures.

There have been attacks in Sloughbottom Park and Chapelfield Gardens in recent months.

Council officers said talks were under way to arrange a greater police presence to address the issue.

Last week, four teenagers were arrested on suspicion of assault following an incident in Sloughbottom Park where mobile phone footage appeared to show a 13-year-old boy being hit on the head and then threatened with a knife.

It followed reports earlier this month of an attack on a 10-year-old boy in the same park.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said a man was also left "bruised and bleeding" following an incident in Chapelfield Gardens in March.

Concerns of anti-social behaviour led to Norwich City Council reversing a decision to leave some of its parks unlocked overnight – including Waterloo Park, Heigham Park and Rosary Cemetery.

Before being relocked, Waterloo Park in particular saw a spike in anti-social behaviour incidents being reported to police - including drug needles found near the play area and vandalism of park and cafe furniture.

Speaking at a scrutiny meeting last week, a council officer said: "We have seen quite a few reports of anti-social behaviour in our parks recently.

"Our concern is not so much the number of incidents but the seriousness.

"We are looking at how we can mitigate some of these or deal with this issue by having a greater police presence in some of those areas."

The council has already introduced CCTV in parks to try to reduce crime.

The officer added: "We are not ignoring this issue but it is a work in progress."

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