Antisocial behaviour 'not a problem' in Bristol's green spaces
ANTISOCIAL behaviour at the 64 parks and green spaces threatened with sale by Bristol City Council is almost non-existent in most cases, according to new figures.
One of the council's arguments for supporting the green space sell-off plan was that new houses would help tackle antisocial behaviour and make residents who use parks feel safer by overlooking the area.
But that argument assumes that there is antisocial behaviour in the first place, and according to police statistics obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, in many cases there is simply not a problem to solve.
Of the 64 sites under threat – of which nine have so far been saved following public protest – there were anti social behaviour incidents in 12 of them last year, 14 locations in 2009 and 15 in 2008.
The council did not use the overlooking argument for every proposed sale.
But in the areas that have had incidents reported, the number of incidents in each area is generally very low, in many cases just three or four in a year.
In some cases there aren't any recorded incidents, despite claims from residents there is a problem.
The council's assessment of Sturminster Close in Stockwood – which will be sold under the plan – said residents were very concerned about antisocial behaviour.
According to police records, though, there haven't been any recorded incidents for the last two years, with just one in 2008.
The figures also show that in areas where there are antisocial behaviour problems, they have dropped.
Elderberry Walk in Brentry had 43 reported incidents in 2008, falling to 29 in 2009 and 20 last year – although that is still roughly one every two weeks.
Part of this site will be sold, and although smaller than originally planned it is in spite of residents saying they wanted to keep the entire area green.
Kingshead Lane in Bishopsworth – which was saved following public opposition – saw a spike of 41 incidents in 2009 but for the year before and after had nine.
Council spokeswoman Helen Hewitt said: "The recent figures for the fall in antisocial behaviour incidents are very encouraging, but there is no guarantee that the present level of input needed to sustain this trend will continue.
"However, there is plenty of evidence at both a national and local level to show that homes overlooking parks and green spaces are a long-term and effective way of reducing antisocial behaviour and vandalism.
"In addition, the presence of homes looking onto parks has the double benefit of improving public perception concerning safety issues and addresses parents' concerns about allowing children and young people out to play in their local park.
"The council's own play pathfinder research – in conjunction with UWE, which involved over 900 children and 1,200 people – echoes national findings and further, the successful delivery of nearly 30 play parks in local communities over the past two years clearly demonstrates the validity of such research."
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by sleeping on a bench, by a park
Saturday, February 26 2011, 1:33AM
“can someone help me please, my house is in a park. At night they locked the park up and I cant get my car out, cos I PARKED it.
Can someone help me please my partner and I have become real 'swingers' since we got this house in the park and my relationship is hitting the sliders.
Can someone help me please I put my dog in the front garden and it is being driven mad by football. They told me when I got this house off the association, what was lost on the roundabouts I would make it up on the swings.
We have a barking problem in this street and theres no room to bark a car so someone phoned environmental health.
Someone help me please I have 6 young lads sat on my wall drinking and it is only 7 am. I have phoned the police who are looking in the bushes.
Someone help me please a tescos carrier bag was left fluttering in the breeze and it has swallowed my kitten so I need to contact estate management.
Someone help me please on Sundays my wife has said she has had the whole football team.”
by park life, leg before wicket in LW
Saturday, February 26 2011, 1:18AM
“so if my brand new gary hopkins bequest cheap and tacky social housing property that I pay over £90 a week for, and is the only one I can get in Bristol from Homechoice, so I should be thankful, overlooks a playing field, that means there wont be anti social behaviour in front of my house?? I think there will be, and my house will see a lot of broken windows from flying footballs, rubbish from kids dropping cans, bottles and crisp packets in my front garden, and dogs messing on my path. I love to live in a park. park life. Is the only life I know. Pass the syringe into my bin before leaving.”
by Its all gone mad, Bristol
Friday, February 11 2011, 1:34PM
“or D - threaten them with a bit of wood til they move then get arrested by the police and put in prison”
by Very Angry & so is My Wife, BRISTOL
Friday, February 11 2011, 8:43AM
“Your house "overlooks" a green space, and you see some "anti-social behaviour"
Do You
A. Stare fiercly at them through the wndow?
B Remonstrate with them & end up in a fight?
OR
C Phone the police, who will make an appointment for when they're all gone?
More Li-bore-all Bullshine”
by Dog Walker, Bristol
Thursday, February 10 2011, 2:02PM
“The real reason that they have this "overlooking" idea, I imagine, is because they will get significantly higher prices for the houses they build.”
by concerned voter, Lockleaze
Thursday, February 10 2011, 1:56PM
“This "overlooking" nonsense is just that - nonsense.
Look at the re-development of Upper Horfield. Houses now overlook each other and small (tiny!) green areas, and still there is trouble (remember the guy who got knocked down and killed by someone stealing his own car, etc). Ask anyone who lives there how badly it was planned and how bad it is to live there. Houses are crammed together, so that they all overlook each other.
It's time the national urban planners guide was updated to show that houses overlooking parks do not reduce antisocial behaviour.
It is being used all over the UK as THE excuse to build on our green spaces - and it's an incorrect assumption..
So, Lib Dems of Bristol CC - hands off our land!”
by The Hedgehog, Horfield
Thursday, February 10 2011, 1:47PM
“I think they're being combined, squirrel. Have your fortune told while you ride so high you can almost see the top of Park Street...”
by Squirrel, Stokes Croft
Thursday, February 10 2011, 1:44PM
“@The Hedgehog
Isn't it being reserved for the future Bristol Eye?”
by Dog Walker, Bristol
Thursday, February 10 2011, 1:44PM
“LOL Hedgehog, maybe Gary Hopkins has a plan to get his BRT route tarmac'd on the cheap...”
by The Hedgehog, Horfield
Thursday, February 10 2011, 11:57AM
“I think it's reserved for future travellers' camp, Dog...”