VANDALISM IN GOLDSWORTH PARK - LIB DEMS HOLD URGENT PUBLIC MEETING

Rising incidences of vandalism in Goldsworth Park have been of great concern to all Goldsworth Park Councillors. The recent slashing of car tyres by vandals to over 100 cars in Woking was the last straw for the Councillors who represent concerned residents. At least 20 cars were hit in Littlemead and Fieldings alone.

Cllr Denzil Coulson, the newly elected chair of the Council's Neighbourhood Management Task Group working in a new partnership with Surrey Police, called an urgent public meeting on Friday 20 October. Speakers included Cllr Rosie Sharpley, Cllr Rob Leach, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Neighbourhood Inspector Mason and Chief Inspector Santi Gill from Surrey Police and Ray Morgan, Chief Executive of Woking Borough Council.

Concerned and angry residents packed Goldwater Lodge asking various questions about better targeted policing and a visible police presence to deter vandals operating with impunity in the local vicinity. Many residents, whose car tyres had been slashed, also voiced their anger at the lack of a visible police response to deter these attacks as well as the fact that police computers were churning out letters stating that their cases were not being investigated. Inspector Mason tried to reassure residents that each and every case was being carefully investigated to catch the culprits.

Cllr Denzil Coulson encouraged the residents to become involved in the Council's Neighbourhood Management agenda working with Surrey Police to improve neighbourhood policing in Goldsworth Park. Reporting after the meeting, Cllr Rob Leach said:

"It is apparent to me that neighbourhood policing needs to be improved to ensure that vandalism on this scale does not happen again. I think that the police clearly benefited in hearing the views of concerned residents so that their public relations machine can be improved to respond to incidents of crime more speedily and effectively. I am also very pleased to see residents volunteer to help us in the Council to work together with the police so that better targeted local policing can take place. We had 14 volunteers sign up including 1 person who wishes to volunteer to be a Special Constable for Surrey Police."

If you wish to volunteer in helping draft ideas for better neighbourhood policing, please contact Cllr Denzil Coulson at cllrdenzil.coulson@woking.gov.uk or 01483 771676.