Salford Council has confirmed that CCTV and floodlighting will not be installed in Clowes Park, where a Holocaust memorial bench was vandalised and thrown into a lake. The decision comes despite the park being described as a hotspot for crime, drugs and public sex.
Vandalism of memorial bench
A bench carrying the audio testimony of Shoah survivor Chaim Ferster was smashed up and dumped in the boating lake in a 'distressing' incident in January. At the time, Salford Mayor Paul Dennett promised to 'urgently explore all feasible options to improve safety in the park', including lighting and CCTV.
The park is reportedly a hotspot for 'unsavoury acts', with local communities long urging for more security measures to be brought in.
Council cites lack of power supply
Asked for an update on these works by Kersal and Broughton Park councillor Andrew Walters, the council confirmed that due to 'significant challenges', it would not be possible to install cameras and floodlighting.
Addressing a full council meeting on Wednesday, September 16, Coun Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, said: "Our review has considered a range of measures to strengthen security and reduce opportunities for antisocial behaviour. CCTV and floodlighting were explored, however a significant challenge is that there is currently no power supply within the park to support either installation. At this stage the technology and infrastructure required to deliver an effective and security-compliant CCTV or floodlighting solution are not currently available within the park without significant investment.
"However, this doesn't close the door on future opportunities. As technology continues to develop, particularly in relation to wireless and solar powered options, we'll continue to keep this under review for the future. In the meantime, the park remains within GMP's regular patrol route, and there is now a dedicated ranger for the park."
She added that a number of possible improvements to the park had been identified, including fixing railings, putting up barriers at entrances, and improving signage.
Councillor's disappointment
Coun Walters shared his disappointment at the decision, explaining the park has long been a hotbed of anti-social behaviour after dark, with the vandalism being 'the final straw' for the local community.
"It's extremely disappointing," he told the LDRS. "After dark this park becomes a hand out space for unsavoury elements – drugs, public sex, break-ins in the surrounding area. I don't believe the council has explored alternative options such as solar powered cameras enough.
"It's about value for money and public safety. It's also about the principle. This is effectively saying to the vandals – who've not been caught – 'you win'. I understand the Ferster family are now considering re-installing the memorial bench elsewhere, because they don't feel they have any assurances that the same thing won't happen again in this park."
Chaim Ferster moved to Cheetham Hill after surviving eight Nazi death camps including Auschwitz – where he lost 30 of his relatives. The bench was installed on one of his regular walking routes in 2019, two years after his death.
