Walk in the park for police

Thursday 27 February 2014

Police have been stationed at the Millennium Town Park for half-term week because of complaints about anti-social behaviour.

The States of Jersey Police have put a Police Command Post in the park, have stationed officers there from 10 am to 6 pm every day. Apart from keeping an eye on things, they have been surveying people in the park about how the park is used and how it could be improved.

One senior policeman said that they had been monitoring behaviour at the park – and the impact on people using it and those who live in the area – for a while, but had stepped up their presence because of half-term.

Inspector Mark Coxshall, Head of the States of Jersey Police Operational Support Unit, said: “We have been working in Millennium Park for many months to try and address issues that exist, and this requires effective dialogue and consultation with stakeholders.

“Partnership working is vital in dealing with community concerns and we have been working with other agencies, including the Youth Service and the parish to come up with solutions to the concerns, which could be something which appears small like a noise complaint but can have a huge impact on someone’s quality of life.

“These concerns often come down to differences of opinion, which is why it is so important to speak to all the stakeholders and work out their priorities and then jointly work with them and partner agencies on developing a solution. Millennium Park is a lovely space within St Helier and we, and of course all of the community, want it to be a place where everyone can go and relax and we think we working together we can all achieve that.”

The park opened in October 2011 after 13 years of planning. It took the biggest petition that Jersey had ever seen to start the project off – but the final casting vote was settled not by a politician but by a ring-binder. Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean lent on the folder on his desk in the Chamber just as the final vote was being taken in the States, which pressed down on the voting buttons turning his “no” vote into a “yes” and securing £10 million in funding to let the project happen.