Forum Topic

Southfields Recreation Ground Unsafe When Dark

Just to let people know to take extra care as I was kicked off my bike while cycling through the park on my way home from work last night (6.30pm).The attack was completely unprovoked and I was incredibly lucky that the group of around 12 young teenage boys were more interested in causing damage to Freshways in Acton Park Industrial Estate than harming me (I found this out today and have also reported the incident to the police). I felt very vulnerable and intimidated and although I live moments away from the park and have done so for years, I will no longer cycle or walk through it after dark.

Ambreen Nawaz ● 5404d8 Comments

Sorry to here about your incident in Southfield park, there is a dispersal order for this area , it seems this is not working though. Surely if the police know this area to be of high crime then why do they not patrol the area more often, personally I have not seen any police officers around for sometime now in this area. Perhaps it would be a deterrent if they were to put cameras in these specific areas to monitor the situation. Get on to Seargent Danny williams good man for getting things sorted out also let your local police ward know and Gary your local Councillor for Southfield Ward this surely needs prompt attention.

Ricardo Pelc-Wesoly ● 5404d

Should the park gates not be shut at dusk?

Dee Cook ● 5404d

I'm pretty sure that Southfields Rec doesn't have any gates. The path across the middle, from Mansell Road to Southfields Road, is a useful cut-through. Unfortunately it's unlit and very dark in the evenings at this time of year.According to the report of the Southfield Ward Forum, the SNT and the parks service believe that lighting the path would actually increase crime, which sounds rather unintuitive. On that basis, would crime across London be reduced if the street lights were turned off?source: http://www2.ealing.gov.uk/ealing3/export/sites/ealingweb/services/council/committees/agendas_minutes_reports/ward_forums/southfield_ward_forum/_april11-march12/27sept11/southfield_ward_forum_notes_270911.pdf

Norman Redfern ● 5404d

Ambreen may I suggest  posting your message on the Chiswick forum website as Southfield park borders Acton and Chiswick there may be others who have been intimidated by groups of youths in this area, the more people who get involved the more the focus will be in getting thing's done.

Ricardo Pelc-Wesoly ● 5403d

I know of somebody else involved in an incident that night.  Same location but earlier.Does anybody have the email or mobile number of the safer neighbourhood police officer that sometimes posts on here?Thanks

Andy Magee ● 5398d

A number of points raised:1. There is an issue currently and the police (the Southfield police team) are aware of some of the issues but they only work for half the week. Seargent Danny Williams is the wrong person as he is not the Southfield SNT Seargent. The new sergeant took over about two months ago. The best number to report a crime as it happens is 999. If it has happened then call 020 8721 2946 or 07879 694814 (local police teams) You can email the local team via: Southfield.snt@met.police.uk2. The Southfield ward forum, chaired by myself, are considering whether to light the park and possibly install a camera. One camera in Acton seems to reduce the problems / crime. Many people want the park lit so they can get to and from work more safely. Some say that lighting a park will increase crime. That is why we are conducting a consultation on the issue. This will be online as well as through people's letter boxes.

Gary Malcolm ● 5397d

Southfield Safer Neighbourhood Team are the people to contact on 020 8721 2946

Chris Hurley ● 5396d

As advised, have also posted the message on the Chiswick Forum.Have stuck to my resolve and still not been to the park after dark!

Ambreen Nawaz ● 5385d