Carlisle Park - Park keeper Makes a Difference

5.12.59pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 26th Mar 2007

The installation of a resident park keeper at Carlisle Park had a dramatic impact on local crime when, a few days ago, the keeper spotted a burglary taking place at a house facing the park; apprehended one of the burglars; and summoned the police to make an arrest.

MP Vincent Cable who had campaigned for several years, with local residents, to get the council to install the resident park keeper in a vacant flat said: "the council's parks department dragged its feel on this issue for several years but in the last few months, under pressure from the councillors and myself) action has been taken. There is now the reassuring presence of someone resident in the flat in the park who is able to keep an eye on trouble makers. This is an attractive and popular little park that was in danger of succumbing to law and order problems, but is now more secure. Nipping the burglary in the bud was a big boost to local confidence and I warmly commend the park keeper's initiative and courage in tackling the villains".

"There is still work to be done - I am told that the door to the disabled loo doesn't open properly - but there has been progress".