Brent's parks could become 'no-go' areas

THE future of Brent's parks is under threat after cost cutting plans to axe their wardens.
People fear getting rid of wardens could mean parks will become 'no go' areas with more crime and fly-tipping.
Campaigner, Peter Corcoran, from Wembley, said he has spoken to some wardens who have been told they will be losing their jobs. He said: "As a regular user of both King Edward's Park and Tokyngton Recreation Ground I find any reduction in services to be totally unacceptable.
"The park wardens do a fantastic job for a modest wage protecting visitors from harm and they also collect litter.
"I fear our parks will fall into disrepair and will become no-go areas for people wanting to get a few moments of relaxation from a hectic life.
"Children will be banged up for even longer in front of their computer, parks will become too dangerous. Only the criminal minded will benefit from this. People are starting to wonder why they are paying council tax."
Ten people will lost their jobs under the plans which will save the council £200,000.
Councillor Paul Lorber, leader of Brent Liberal Democrat group, said crime could once
again blight the borough's parks. He said: "This is extremely disappointing. Removing wardens will be removing public safety.
"Barham Park already suffers from anti-social behaviour which I know the local safer
neighbourhood team has made a priority to deal with. Getting rid of wardens could make it worse. People will feel intimidated and parents will not want to take their children there."
A council spokeswoman said getting rid of wardens was a result of the Government cutting its funding by 28 per cent. She said: "The government has cut Brent Council's
funding by £37m in 2011/12. We can't provide the same level of service with more than a quarter of our funding removed. We're having to make some tough decisions as we have a legal duty to balance our budget and there is only a small number of statutory services we can consider cutting."
She also said mobile wardens will travel around the borough visiting parks to make sure they are clean and safe.