FOLLOWING complaints from residents about personal safety and activities taking place in Frome’s Victoria Park, Frome Neighbourhood Policing Team have reported they are working to ensure the space is safe.
An online petition was recently set up by a resident calling for change to ‘make Victoria Park safe for residents to enjoy again.’
182 residents have so far signed the petition that lists safety issues in the park such as: unprovoked assaults on adults and children; intimidation; vandalism; anti-social behaviour; public drug dealing and usage; littering, including broken glass in the play areas; and flashing.
One resident said, “Too much physical violence and harassment is happening in this area.”
Another resident said, “The drugs are a problem, dealing is blatant and the smoking of drugs impacts families using the park with children and babies.”
Another resident said, “Obviously our main park and open space in Frome shouldn’t be a crime hub for criminals to exploit children and vulnerable people. It has definitely got much worse recently. Police are doing their best from what I have witnessed, but more patrols would be good if those aren’t happening already, please.”
Other local people also took to social media to agree with concerns about people’s behaviour and activities in the park.
In reply to the concern, Frome Neighbourhood sergeant Daniel Jeffries said, “The Frome Neighbourhood Policing Team has been working closely with the town council to ensure Victoria Park, off Somerset Road, is a safe environment for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“We have increased our high visibility patrols within the park and, working in partnership with the council, have installed CCTV to increase security.”
Over the past year, the Neighbourhood Policing Team say they have seen a decrease in the number of reported crimes, compared to the previous 12 months. Sgt Jeffries said, “We have seen a decrease in the number of reported crimes, dropping from 40 to 25 with the number of calls received dropping from 85 calls to 61 calls.
“We understand that some people’s experience doesn’t always match with the statistics, but we will continue to work with the local authorities, residents and community groups, to reduce crime in the area.
“We will continue to have a visible presence in Victoria Park going forward and would encourage the public to report any concerns they have to us.”
