That’s why one local woman, Amy Joseph, started an online petition, calling on the council to improve safety in the park once and for all. With thousands of supporters already, she’s determined that this time someone will finally take notice.
She says often it is a tragic event like this one which is what draws attention to the problem and helps move things forward.
Owing to its size and the fact that it’s open 24 hours a day, Finsbury Park has become home to anti-social behaviour, drinking and drug use. But it’s after dark that crime in the park worsens, with muggings and sexual assault among the most reported.
This week residents met with local MPs, police and other local groups to discuss what could be done to make the park safer. It’s hoped that with better lighting, a police presence and possibly a closing time for the park, crime can be reduced.
In a statement, Claire Kober, the leader of Haringey Council said, “We, like our community, are shocked and saddened by the death of Iuliana Tudos and our thoughts are with her family and friends. We understand this will have caused a great deal of concern for local residents. A review of parks safety in Haringey began last year and we will, of course, work with colleagues to introduce any changes found to be necessary. Police officers have been out speaking to the community following this awful tragedy, and we will continue to work closely with the police.”
The council have agreed to address concerns and residents accept that significant improvements will take time. But they want to know what will be done temporarily in the short-term to ensure that the area is made safer for those who live there.
Ms Tudos was found murdered in Finsbury Park on Christmas Eve (Iuliana Tudos/Facebook).
Martin Ball of local group, Friends of Finsbury Park, said, “You can’t light up the entirety of the park, it’s not the public highway.” He said that the concerns of residents would be addressed and nobody should be made to feel unsafe walking home, but some of the fear came from perceived danger rather than actual danger. Finsbury Park, he said, “isn’t any more unsafe than other parks in London.”
“There has been improved lighting in a number of areas but it’s a huge park so you can’t lighten everything or design out what people might use the park for in terms of criminal activity.”
“I don’t think you could close a park of this size anyway, given the resources of staff would make it impractical. People use the park at night and it’s about balancing that access at night with combating some of the criminal activity which is taking place,” he said.
Residents want to see more of the money generated from summer festivals be put towards making the park safer for those who live there.
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HeadlineFamilies call for more safety in Finsbury Park following Christmas Eve murder
Short HeadlineResidents demand safety measures for Finsbury Park
Standfirst
That’s why one local woman, Amy Joseph, started an online petition, calling on the council to improve safety in the park once and for all. With thousands of supporters already, she’s determined that this time someone will finally take notice.
She says often it is a tragic event like this one which is what draws attention to the problem and helps move things forward.
Owing to its size and the fact that it’s open 24 hours a day, Finsbury Park has become home to anti-social behaviour, drinking and drug use. But it’s after dark that crime in the park worsens, with muggings and sexual assault among the most reported.
This week residents met with local MPs, police and other local groups to discuss what could be done to make the park safer. It’s hoped that with better lighting, a police presence and possibly a closing time for the park, crime can be reduced.
In a statement, Claire Kober, the leader of Haringey Council said, “We, like our community, are shocked and saddened by the death of Iuliana Tudos and our thoughts are with her family and friends. We understand this will have caused a great deal of concern for local residents. A review of parks safety in Haringey began last year and we will, of course, work with colleagues to introduce any changes found to be necessary. Police officers have been out speaking to the community following this awful tragedy, and we will continue to work closely with the police.”
The council have agreed to address concerns and residents accept that significant improvements will take time. But they want to know what will be done temporarily in the short-term to ensure that the area is made safer for those who live there.
Ms Tudos was found murdered in Finsbury Park on Christmas Eve (Iuliana Tudos/Facebook).
Martin Ball of local group, Friends of Finsbury Park, said, “You can’t light up the entirety of the park, it’s not the public highway.” He said that the concerns of residents would be addressed and nobody should be made to feel unsafe walking home, but some of the fear came from perceived danger rather than actual danger. Finsbury Park, he said, “isn’t any more unsafe than other parks in London.”
“There has been improved lighting in a number of areas but it’s a huge park so you can’t lighten everything or design out what people might use the park for in terms of criminal activity.”
“I don’t think you could close a park of this size anyway, given the resources of staff would make it impractical. People use the park at night and it’s about balancing that access at night with combating some of the criminal activity which is taking place,” he said.
Residents want to see more of the money generated from summer festivals be put towards making the park safer for those who live there.
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