New CCTV after reports of anti-social behaviour

A new CCTV system has been installed at a Nottinghamshire park plagued by anti-social behaviour.

Gedling Borough Council said it received £14,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the equipment to be put in place at Church Lane Recreation Ground, Arnold.

The authority said the site had "seen a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents take place", but said the camera "has been used on several occasions to detect crime and assist the police".

Some residents have welcomed the scheme but others said the money could have been better used.

Katie Dickson, from Arnold, said she would notice things like ziplines in the playground going missing when bringing her young children to the park.

"My mum used to look after the children, and she didn't feel comfortable bringing them on her own to the park," the 44-year-old said.

Jeffrey Crowson, also from Arnold, was not in favour of the CCTV investment.

The 62-year-old said the CCTV funding was "wasted" money, and argued it could have gone on "more things for youngsters" in the area.

"I wouldn't say it [antisocial behaviour] is a big problem," he said.

"Most people are sociable around here."

David Ellis, the council's portfolio holder for public protection, said: "Residents were complaining that they don't feel safe in the park, and the police backed them up.

"The borough council's got cameras all over the borough, in shopping centres, high streets, and parks, wherever we think there's a need for them.

"It's high quality, it links to our control room, and it rotates and scans and all sorts of things - it's pretty much state-of-the-art."

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