The chairman of Holbeach Parish Council says he has the backing of police to patrol the town’s park alongside volunteers.
Adrian Haslett asked if others would join him from 6.30pm to 9.30pm in Carter’s Park following an alleged assault there last week.
South Holland Police has said it is also carrying out extra patrols in the area.
Lincolnshire Police told The Voice there have been ‘no further incidents’ and people in the park officers spoke to felt safe.
Coun Haslett used Holbeach Parish Council’s social media channels to ask for volunteers ‘to provide a reassuring and visible presence in the park’ alongside him, though he insists he’s doing it for himself rather than as a member of the council.
He says that the council’s insurance will cover volunteers.
“The whole idea is we walk around the park to show a presence,” Coun Haslett said. “We’re not to engage at all.
“We’d be there to report to the authorities anything we see and to support anybody who may have been the victim of an incident or seen it.
“I’d vet all the volunteers myself and walk around with them to make sure they’re suitable.”
Coun Haslett says the parish council is looking at closing Carter’s Park early rather than have the patrols, but with only six members it’s struggling to be quorate.
He also said the CCTV in the park had been updated and that an outside offer of a donation of bodycams for volunteers to wear was being looked at.
The bodycams would be only viewed by the data protection officer who is currently responsible for the CCTV, Coun Haslett said.
He also told The Voice that the parish council is looking to make the CCTV coverage part of the main control room for the area ran by Lincolnshire Police and the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.
South Holland Police has urged anyone who sees anti-social behaviour to report it.
A spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said: “Following recent reports of youth-related violence, South Holland’s Neighbourhood Policing Team carried out afternoon patrols of Carter’s Park.
“During the patrols, officers spoke with groups of young people and families using the park. No concerning behaviour was witnessed, and no further incidents were reported.
“Those spoken to said they did not feel threatened or frightened to visit the park, and our presence received positive feedback from members of the public. Patrols will continue to provide reassurance and help keep the area safe for everyone.”
