Parks patrol helps stop criminals

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Stopping people stealing a car, catching graffiti offenders and saving a woman from harm – it’s all in a day’s work for members of the Hammersmith & Fulham Council parks constabulary.

Parks constabulary officers have met with some high-profile successes, particularly Constable Jason Peacock.

In recent weeks, Constable Peacock has helped stop a person assaulting a woman, detained graffiti offenders in a park, who were later arrested by police and stopped a car from being stolen on his lunch break.

It’s just all part of the job, Constable Peacock explained.

“Our job is to keep the parks safe and make sure that people in the community can go into a park to enjoy themselves without feeling afraid or harassed. Of course, that role doesn’t stop just because you aren’t at work, so naturally when I saw a car being stolen, I intervened, just like most people would.”

Cabinet member for social inclusion, Cllr Reg McLaughlin, said the actions of PC Peacock highlighted the excellent work of all the members of the parks Constabulary.

“The continuing contribution of these officers helps to make our parks and open spaces much more safe and enjoyable places to be.

“Over the three years they have been in operation, they have been invaluable in the council’s and police’s work, as we strive to take a zero tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti in our parks.”

Stan Davis, head of the LBHF parks constabulary, is far less modest about the achievements of his staff.

“Jason sets a fine example for how the parks constabulary should operate. We’re about helping people and reassuring people about the safety of the community,” he said.

“Parks are an area which can experience acts of antisocial behaviour and other problems, so by having a visible presence like the parks constabulary, we can help prevent and reduce these issues.”

Details of recent parks constabulary arrests:

- A member of the public in Bishop’s Park, W6, reported seeing graffiti offenders defacing property two weeks ago and reported this. Constable Peacock and his colleague Sgt Ian Crow, raced to the park, chased the offenders down and detained them until police arrived.

- When Mr Peacock was on his lunch break on June 16, he spotted a man stealing a car in Munster Rd, Fulham and restrained the offender until police arrived.

- Several weeks ago, Mr Peacock witnessed an argument in Brook Green and used his powers of arrest to stop a man who was assaulting a woman.

The parks constabulary was introduced in the borough in 2001 to help prevent graffiti, vandalism, dog fouling and more serious crimes. Officers have powers of arrest within parks and open spaces in the borough. The service was developed in partnership with the police and parks constables continue to work closely with them.

July 10, 2005