Patrols to crack down on dogging ‘hotspots’
Community protection patrols are being carried out in and around a park to help crack down on dogging and cottaging.
Maidstone council has received a number of recent reports of anti-social and inappropriate behaviour in and around Penenden Heath Recreation Ground, which has been known in the past as something of a “hotspot”, according to one councillor. Town centre bosses are stepping up efforts in response with the summer holidays approaching, so families can enjoy local leisure facilities without risk of nuisance or vandalism.
The community protection team says anyone found to be engaging in such behaviour will be challenged and, where necessary, issued with a notice or fine.
Some incidents could also be escalated to the police.
Cllr Martin Cox, ward member for the area and leader of the council said: “I am fully supportive of the initiatives undertaken by the Community Protection and Street Scene Enforcement Teams in-order to keep our borough safe, to reduce and ultimately remove the threat of indecent acts taking place in public places.” Fellow ward councillor Rob Eves also praised the response but insisted more funding needed to be provided on a national level to truly combat the issue.
“I know it’s been something of a hotspot in the past and we’ve had to deal with people before - it’s not necessarily a new issue or an old one,” he said.
“It’s difficult to know how to really crack down because the public doesn’t want CCTV and the council doesn’t have enough resources anyway. “It’s been proven that a more visible presence is more likely to deter anti-social behaviour, but there are noticeably fewer police on the streets.
“That’s not their fault, we need a lot more funding nationally.”
The specialist Community Protection Team was created in 2017 and deals with sensitive issues such as animal welfare and licensing, noise complaints, providing support to those experiencing domestic abuse, disrupting organised crime groups and investigating cases of self-neglect, such as hoarding.
Report any incidents to the Community Protection Team by calling 01622 602202.