Residents in Haringey are likely to be more vulnerable in parks throughout the borough after it has emerged that the Labour Council plans to scrap the Haringey Parks Police next year.

Haringey Council’s newly published budget plans propose to reduce the service to a warden scheme without the power of arrest to save £200,000. Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to stop the Labour-controlled Haringey Council from disbanding the Parks Constabulary, which has for the last five years patrolled parks and open spaces and given a vital police presence at numerous events.

They have launched their own plan for the service, which includes proper radio and CCTV links with the police, more training, and greater cover.

Cllr Ron Aitken, Lib Dem Crime and Community Safety Spokesperson, comments:

“Labour say they are in favour of more Police Officers on the beat to catch criminals, yet they plan to disband the Parks Constabulary and replace it with a warden service that will not have the power of arrest or sufficient training to protect members of the public.

“A promised radio link to the Met Police has still not materialised even though the Parks Constabulary has spent £8,000 on radios.”

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, adds:

“The Parks Police play a critical role in keeping local residents safe.Sadly all too often our parks are the battlegrounds for anti-social behaviour – and the park constabulary, with power of arrest, are the key in this battle.

“Who is going to be on hand to take direct action when someone is tearing through a park on a motorbike in the summer and to check that our parks aren’t being used for drug taking and prostitution in winter?

“We have been calling for greater integration of our local police and the park team, but Labour now seem to be working away from this. It is park users who will suffer and who are going to be unnecessarily put at greater risk.”