CCTV cameras in every park in Southampton, and to give the public - but especially women - the confidence to use them without fear of crime.
Today this is what the Daily Echo is calling for as we launch the Reclaim Our Parks campaign.
Currently, there are no cameras in the following major city parks, including Riverside Park, Palmerston Park, or Southampton Common, according to the city council website.
Hoglands Park and East Park are home to one camera each, as listed on the page.
But with a number of high-profile crimes in recent months, including the rape of a woman in East Park in June and several indecent exposure incidents in Riverside Park, we say it is time for action to be taken.
Among those backing our call is Solent University, sexual abuse support charity Aurora New Dawn, and a woman who knows first-hand how important CCTV cameras could be after she was beaten and mugged in Palmerston Park in August.
The Southampton woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said having cameras to deter criminals and help police with their investigations would make 'a big difference'.
She said: "These parks are an area you can be lured into, and if something does happen in the parks, the CCTV would provide evidence.
“I now fear being in Southampton after what happened to me.”
But Cllr Christie Lambert, cabinet member for safer city at Southampton City Council said alternative solutions to CCTV are considered.
'People need to feel safe'
But Southampton City Council previously said it was too expensive for cameras to be installed there.
Cllr John Savage, cabinet member for green city, said there are “not enough posts” in the park for CCTV cameras, and the installation of these posts and cabling would “incur significant costs”.
Solent University, which faces East Park, is backing our plea for the council to rethink its approach.
A spokesperson said the university would “support the installation of CCTV cameras in the city’s parks as an additional safety measure”, adding that they will work with the police and council to ensure "all students have safe access to our campus and the surrounding area".
Southampton FC legend and community figure Franny Benali has also put his weight behind our campaign.
"People need to feel comfortable and safe in their city; it is paramount.
“It is a shame the council is not listening to calls from people to install cameras. I hope this campaign will help the council to move towards a decision.”
'Safety in Southampton parks is rubbish'
We took our campaign to the parks themselves and found that many people agreed that CCTV was needed.
Friends Charlotte Terry and Kerrie Stafford often walk through Riverside Park together, but rarely come alone – day or night.
Both are keen for CCTV cameras to be installed.
Charlotte said: “CCTV would be ideal to have, but the council won’t even install street lighting here.
“In the winter my other half has to walk the dogs as I will not come near the park in the dark”, she added.
Kerrie said she was shocked the council is not spending money on CCTV to keep people safe, adding: “If they put in more lighting and CCTV more people would come down here.”
“There need to be cameras to make sure women and children are safe, and if bad things do happen the right people can be held accountable”, she said.
Zinnia added: “The safety of parks in Southampton is rubbish and the lighting is not helpful at all.
“When I was at university, I did not feel safe once walking through the parks.”
Plans for more cameras
Zoë Jackson, deputy chief executive of the Hampshire-based Aurora New Dawn charity, said that the presence of CCTV provides much needed reassurance.
She said: “Women and girls in Southampton have a right to feel safe when they’re walking around their city.
“Violence against women and girls in the UK is at epidemic levels, and whilst we know that CCTV, help points, or improved street lighting won’t fix the issue on their own, their presence offers reassurance at a time when women’s fear of violence is at an all-time high.
“Taking steps to increase the safety of women in public spaces should be a priority for all local authorities as part of their wider Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy and action planning.”
Meanwhile, Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Hampshire, said the safety of women and girls is an “absolute priority”.
She told the Echo: “Ensuring that people feel safe out and about in their community and across the city parks in Southampton is something I have been supporting the council in delivering for the last three years.”
She said that, alongside the council, more CCTV has been installed across the city and the council “hopes to install more”.
Hampshire Constabulary said it works alongside the council on community safety initiatives, including the use of CCTV, for the safety of women and girls.
What does the council say?
In response to concerns raised, Cllr Lambert said: "It is imperative to note that while CCTV may help provide evidence after a crime has already been committed, it has not been proven to be a suitable deterrent for serious crime.
"We are always looking for ways to enhance the safety of our public spaces including constantly reviewing park lighting and collaborating regularly with the police and universities, and working with GO! Southampton and the street pastor team who deploy additional resource at weekends.
“We would also highly encourage anyone living and working in Southampton to download the Start Safe Stay Safe app, by searching ‘Southampton Stay Safe’ in the Apple or Google app store.
"This app can be used to capture crucial evidence, call the emergency services and contains a listing of useful emergency contacts - all which could help save a life and put an end to these serious offences.”
Earlier this year, the government agreed to a £121.6m support package for the debt-laden local authority, which overspent by £7.6m in the 2023-24 financial year.
When the package was announced earlier this year, it detailed how £39.3 million would be used to offset the 2024/25 budget deficit.
The rest of the money was to be used on transformation and improvement, potential restructuring costs, unforeseen events, and up to £52 million to cover a potential equal pay claim liability.
Last year, funding was secured by the council for five mobile CCTV units used to catch fly-tippers.
But there are no plans to introduce CCTV to combat crime in the city.
We want the council to rethink their approach.
We urge them to protect residents and to take the concerns of women and girls seriously to help us Reclaim Our Parks.
Safety measures in place from GO! Southampton
GO! Southampton – The city’s Business Improvement District – has several measures and schemes in place when it comes to safety.
Southampton's Purple Flag accreditation
Purple Flag which is similar to the Blue Flag for beaches, aims to raise the standard and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between the hours of 5pm to 5am.
The city was recognised for its safe nightlife.
CCTV control room
This is operating 24/7 and is available to those living in one of the council's 19 tower block of flats.
CCTV cameras cover the lobby, lift and outside areas of every block.
Facial recognition
The use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology provides an extra layer of security against those high-harm offenders in the city entering a venue in the evening and night-time economy and prevent them from causing further issues.
Funding from the PCC has also seen the introduction of security team who patrol the nighttime economy areas in the city centre.
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