'Covid-19 hasn't gone away' warn Chesterfield councillors after park incidents

Warm weather earlier this summer was accompanied by a rise in anti-social behaviour at Somersall Park, and Liberal Democrat councilors say similar issues are now being experienced elsewhere in the town.

They have warned that ‘Covid-19 has not gone away’, and called on people to behave responsibly both to protect the environment and to keep people safe.

Councillors Shirley and Paul Niblock said in a statement: "Around the country spikes in infection rates are emerging where people have decided to ignore the health guidelines.

"Covid-19 hasn't gone away and we all need to play our part to minimise its impact locally."

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At Somersall Park, one of the measures introduced to cut down on disruptive late-night gatherings has been to switch lighting off within the park between 9.30pm-5am.

During a consultation between councillors, police and the public, residents suggested this was one way to encourage young people to keep away at night.

Notices have now been posted in the park to advise the public about the changes.

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Councillors claim similar problems are now being experienced at Inkerman Park, off Ashgate Road, and Brookfield School playing fields.

Councillor Howard Borrell said: "Can we please ask that all visitors to green areas respect the environment and take home whatever it is that you bring?

"Anyone witnessing unacceptable behaviour should report it via the police non-emergency number 101 in order to establish a pattern of behaviour and allocate resource accordingly."

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Chesterfield Borough Council, said the authority has taken a ‘collaborative approach’ to trying to tackle the problems.

“The community safety partnership alongside colleagues in the council’s parks team and local councillors engaged with local residents and as a result identified some measures to try and prevent the issues from escalating,” she added.

"One of these was the temporary changes to park lighting which is now unlit from 9.30pm-5am.

“The problems do seem to have eased but we are monitoring the situation and as a result we can modify the lighting times if it is deemed appropriate.”

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