Police back calls for CCTV cameras at park hotspot
He said: “The difficulty with Fountain Gardens is it’s as much a thoroughfare as it is a problem with people in the area.
“People using it as a meeting point or drinking area, smashing bottles and the next day it looks as if World War three has happened.
“From a police perspective CCTV is a great thing. A lot of people we arrest or detect, is done because of CCTV. It’s of great use to us.
“It wouldn’t be a police decision but if somebody asked if it would be useful that answered would be yes. It makes our job a lot easier.
“We are aware of Fountain Gardens’ issues and we have increased patrols.”
CCTV is considered the starting point for further community council proposals to upgrade the park, which include installing a bandstand and greenhouses and better upkeep of flower beds.
Mike Dillon, chairman of Paisley North Community Council, said a mobile camera wouldn’t be enough and insisted permanent CCTV is a must.
He said: “One of our aims as a community council is to make our area safer.
“Shortroods is a good area now but we can’t sit on our laurels, we need to keep going.
“A mobile camera is an instant deterrent but as soon as it’s gone the problem will come back.”
Joyce Bunton, secretary of the community council, believes the case for CCTV in the area is strong and said Fountain Gardens should be “protected”.
She said: “Paisley is trying to highlight itself and bring people into the town.
“Fountain Gardens is something we should be proud of, we spent a lot of money on it, but if it’s not protected it’s just going down the drain.”