Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Dane John crackdown dismay
Police have increased patrols, but residents claim it’s still not enough
The police and council’s response to crime and anti-social behaviour in the Dane John Gardens has been branded “complacent and inadequate” by fed-up neighbours.
Despite the authorities insisting they are cracking down on troublemakers marauding in Canterbury’s showpiece park, residents claim it is not enough.
But Ch Insp Mark Weller, district commander for Canterbury, told city councillors he was dismayed to learn people were unhappy with his officers’ efforts.
He said officers discussed issues at the park daily, patrolled it regularly and are working to disrupt criminal activity.
Mr Weller was responding to comments made by Westgate ward councillor Simon Warley, who last week attended a meeting of the St Mildred’s Area Community Society (SMACS), which has been relentless in demanding action over the Dane John.
Cllr Warley told the Canterbury Area Member Panel at the Guildhall on Monday that SMACS were dissatisfied with a report detailing police and council work in the Dane John.
“SMACS’ view of this report is that it is complacent, inadequate and in denial of the evidence,” Cllr Warley said. “They feel they have lost confidence in the council and the police.
“I’ve only been a councillor for three months and I’ve been contacted more about anti-social behaviour and crime than any other issue. People’s lives are being blighted by it both at night and in the day.”
Mr Weller said: “I’m saddened to hear this from SMACS. In the police station on a daily basis we talk about the Dane John and I’ve got officers deployed in the gardens fairly regularly.
“We have made arrests and there are a number of individuals we are proactively targeting.”
The report put before councillors was produced by Doug Rattray, the council’s head of safer neighbourhoods, and enforcement manager Lacy Dixon.
They spoke of the police and council putting “a tactical focus” on the gardens to address graffiti, mess and crime.
Ms Dixon said bulbs were being fitted to lampposts and the council was upgrading its CCTV so it could record better at night.
There are plans to appoint a park warden and improve the children’s play area.