Labour councillor Graeme Clark has submitted a formal motion calling on Renfrewshire Council to install CCTV in all of the area’s main parks, following the recent high-profile incident in Brodie Park.
Cllr Clark, who represents Paisley Northeast and Ralston, has lodged the motion for debate at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 11th December. If approved, it would commit the council to reviewing its CCTV policy with the aim of extending coverage across Renfrewshire’s parks.
Police investigating the Brodie Park incident were forced to appeal for private CCTV footage as no public cameras were available. Cllr Clark said the lack of council-operated CCTV again highlighted the gaps in local safety provision.
He previously wrote to the council’s Chief Executive in April calling for CCTV at Barshaw Park after reports of men filming children caused significant public concern. More than 1,000 residents signed a petition backing cameras for Barshaw Park, but the council said at the time that the issue was “not a priority”.
Cllr Clark criticised what he described as continued inaction and said the situation now demands a clear change of approach.
He said: “I am horrified by what took place at Brodie Park recently, and my thoughts are with the victim at this extremely difficult time.
“The need for CCTV in our local parks could not be clearer – to help deter crime as well as to aid police investigations – and I am deeply disappointed that the council appears not to have heeded my previous calls on the issue whatsoever.
“The council can no longer ignore the need for this and that’s why I have lodged this motion. Councillors clearly need to take a lead on the issue of community safety.
“The council must urgently reconsider its approach to its CCTV policy and finally take action to install cameras in all of Renfrewshire’s main parks so that people here can feel safe in their own area.
“Our parks should be safe for women, safe for children and safe for all. I would urge councillors from all parties and none to back my motion and roll out CCTV in our parks.
“We all believe in public safety and surely we can all come together on a matter like this.”
The motion, seconded by Councillor Ben Smith, will be debated and voted on next week. If approved, CCTV could finally be extended to Renfrewshire’s main parks.
In an article we published a few weeks ago, a Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: “The safety of everyone in our communities is paramount and we regularly review the current CCTV provision in Renfrewshire in line with our approved policy.
“This is an ongoing process which helps identify if any alterations are required and councillors will have the chance to discuss this further at the forthcoming council meeting where a request to review the matter has been put forward.”