A TAMESIDE park has seen CCTV cameras installed in a bid to further reduce vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
And so far, a scheme seems to be working.
Denton’s Victoria Park has long seen issues relating to criminal damage and public order, with council chiefs even locking its gates early.
In an attempt to reduce the problem – which saw a number of fires lit and some even describing those responsible as turning it into a ‘no go area’ – technology has been introduced after a co-ordinated approach was adopted.
Its promising impact has seen a reduction in anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents, with the hope the cameras keep driving figures down.
The initiative by Tameside Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) includes targeted patrols, outreach work to talk to and understand the groups of young people who are gathering and work with local schools and housing associations.
It has led to a 57 per cent reduction in reported ASB incidents and no crimes for public order, robbery or violence recorded between October and December.
As a result, the council’s community safety and anti-social behaviour teams and GMP’s neighbourhood policing teams recently winning the Place Based Problem Solving Award in the force’s Problem Solving and Prevention Awards 2025.
Now it has gone further, with the council installing CCTV cameras inside the park to build on the success and help prevent a resurgence of issues over the summer months.
Footage is shared in real time with the police as part of ongoing efforts to keep residents and park users safe.
Tameside Council’s executive member for towns, transport and connectivity, Cllr Stephen Homer, said: “It’s fantastic to see the positive impact of our partnership working in tackling concerns in Victoria Park.
“But we’re not sitting back, we want to proactively build on this work to further support the community and help prevent any further issues.
“The CCTV cameras within the park are a further strategy in our wider, ongoing approach to tackle the issue.
“Our approach has included council officers, the police, schools, housing associations and other agencies all working together to tackle this from all angles and I want to thank everyone involved for their effective input, which has quite rightly been recognised by a GMP award.
“Victoria Park is a beautiful and well-loved community amenity and we will continue our dedicated approach to ensure people can safely enjoy it.”
Feedback om the scheme told how results had been ‘amazing’ after the park suffered ‘the worst ASB, arson attack, and criminal damage in Victoria Park.’
And GMP’s District Commander for Tameside, Chief Supt Chris Foster, added: “The partnership work we have undertaken in order to improve the experience of the public wanting to use Victoria Park has been a really good way to address local issues which affect our communities.
“The addition of CCTV cameras will not only help us with crime detection and prevention but will also allow us to monitor for vulnerable people who may be missing and provide guardianship that will allow us to respond directly to any issues which may be arising.
“In delivering an outstanding neighbourhood policing offer, we must ensure that we continue to work together to maintain the improvements that have been made in the park and disseminate these beyond to other areas which our communities feel are causing them issues.
“We have seen a good reduction in ASB, burglary and other impactive offences and we will continue to work hard in the partnership arena to provide a coordinated response.”
For further information on how to report anti-social behaviour, visit www.tameside.gov.uk/What-is-Anti-Social-Behaviour.