Shining a light on fears over Forest
PEOPLE SAY THEY DON’T FEEL SAFE ON THEIR OWN OR AFTER DARK
RESIDENTS have described how they would never walk through The Forest recreation ground alone and were even told to avoid it at night when they moved to the city.
Calls have been made for better lighting and more surveillance for the site.
Nextgen, who organised a protest against gender violence at The Forest last month, said they chose the location because it is a place women are afraid of walking by or through due to fear of attacks.
Mum-of-four Safina Hussain, 36, has lived close to the recreation ground all of her life and said the beauty spot had changed considerably since 1996.
She remembers being on the park with her family until 10pm, sometimes 11pm at night, and that it was a place that many families would meet on a summer’s evening.
Now, the she said she would never be on the park after 6.30pm.
She told the Post: “It is fine when people are about but when it hits about 6.30pm in the winter I would not call it safe.
“It is horrible even if we come out for an evening walk.
“I would avoid it and would rather take a walk around the main roads.
“Even on the weekend when we come with the kids, there are lots of groups doing drugs here. I don’t want my kids to see that.
“I think more cameras or community support officers is the best thing to do.
“We would like to walk up the hills (surrounding the park) but you just can’t risk it.
“It is always dark here and if something goes wrong you want people to see you. Back in 1996, we used to be in the park with my family until 11pm. It was really nice.
“We can’t risk it with our own kids with the amount of crimes we have heard about.”
Ylva Hyrkas, 30, moved to the city with her partner Abeed Fayaz, 31, in 2019.
Mrs Hyrkas said: “The first thing I was told when I got here was to never go through this park alone. I was told this is where all the assaults and sexual things happen.
“So, I have never been here after dark. But I have always felt safe during the day because there are lots of people around.
“But with less people, less visibility, I would feel less safe.”
Mr Fayaz, a trainee doctor, added: “I feel very safe in Nottingham but I have always been told not to go out late at night and stick to the main roads. That has done me well. There is not too much lighting around.
“If the area is more well used then people will be more inclined to go through it at night.”
Mary Macrae, 66, who lives in the local area and visits the park regularly, would like to see improved lighting.
“But with all these measures you can’t change human behaviour,” she added.
“I come here often but always with someone else. I would never come alone.
“The only time I have come at night is for Bonfire Night. It is a wonderful space though.”
Judith Naylor, 71, who also lives close by, added: “I do not think it is a place where women can come on their own. I think a police presence would help.”
Some residents said they are also worried about the lack of lighting in the Arboretum, especially around Forest Road West and Waterloo Crescent.
Students who live in a large majority of the houses previously told the Post how they would not walk in the area alone at night and how some had been harassed or confronted by people demanding money.
Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said a government bid is being put forward with the city council and others for £400,000 investment in the area.
The money would be spent on better lighting, CCTV and to strengthen doors and windows in the area to make it harder for criminals to strike.
Councillor Neghat Khan, portfolio holder for Community Protection at Nottingham City Council, said: “We are very aware of current concerns on a national level about the safety of women and we would never want anyone in Nottingham to feel uncomfortable while walking around the city.
“In 2012, we were successful in securing more than £5m of lottery grants which funded a raft of improvements at The Forest recreation ground, including extensive lighting.
“As a result, many parts of the park are well-lit, such as the perimeters, park-and-ride site and most paths, while the football pitches are covered by bright floodlights which help to illuminate nearby areas.
“The park continues to be wellstaffed, with a ranger and gardeners on site throughout the day and sports staff often in attendance until late into the evening.
“In 2019, we introduced additional CCTV and our community protection officers make regular patrols.
“This also forms part of our phase-two Transforming Cities plans and we will be looking at ways to make it a wellused, safe cycling and walking area. Additional lighting will be considered as part of that.
“As ever, this is about partnership working and we liaise regularly with the police to share intelligence as we seek to make our parks, open spaces and city streets as safe and welcoming as they can be.”
I come here often but always with someone else. I would never come alone.
Mary Macrae