A Lee resident has launched a petition to get CCTV installed in Manor House Gardens, after a series of ugly incidents and anti-social behaviour there.
Ali Billenness said she had acted after the mugging of two girls and an attempted break-in in Taunton Road. In addition, vandals have torn down the netting in the basketball court,
“I have noticed a real change in the park in recent months. Fewer children are coming to the park, no one is playing football and more, young children no longer scoot around the MUGA and friends with dogs have reported being intimidated and harassed. It is really saddening to see and I think the CCTV would help,” said Ali.
You can find the petition here.
Ali added: “It has really been escalating in recent months and sadly getting more serious. It would be so sad if we get the wonderful public art installations and then they are vandalised. My children (12 and 14) don’t even want to go into the park now and most of their friends feel the same way sadly.
“The local police have been called out to the park more than 30 times in the past three months alone. So, there’s an argument that not having any deterrent or evidence-gathering tool is also costing money (just on a different budget).”
The Friends of Manor House Gardens supported the idea of a petition. “CCTV has been agreed in principle by Glendale, Lewisham Council and the police.
“The scoping work has been done. I think costs have escalated due to the need to install a post for the camera which requires a cherry picker to move into position.”