Woman attacked in Southampton park backs calls for CCTV

The woman, who did not want to be named, suffered a broken shoulder and a cut to her head after the assault in Palmerston Park.

She is now backing the Echo’s Reclaim Our Parks campaign to get CCTV cameras installed in Southampton parks.

The woman, in her 50s, said having cameras would reduce delays for police obtaining footage from neighbouring properties and businesses.

Palmerston Park (Image: Newsquest) She said she had been out with a friend but was then alone with a man walking her through the park when she "woke up on the ground".

She said: “It all happened very quick. I was found by the bandstand in Palmerston Park by two people, and I had a blow to my head which was bleeding, along with my fracture.

"He stole £80 from me."

READ MORE: Women back calls for CCTV as Echo launches Reclaim Our Parks campaign

Reclaim our Parks (Image: Daily Echo)

Following the incident, the woman fears the man may strike again.

She said: “The council is happy to waste money and dig up the roads but are not prepared to act against violence against women and girls by installing CCTV.

“If something does happen in one of the parks, the CCTV would provide evidence.

“I worry about who this man is going to do something like this to next.”

But how effective are CCTV cameras when it comes to preventing crimes like this?

Unfortunately, we do not know yet, according to Dr Keith Spiller, associate professor of Criminology at University of Southampton.

Dr Keith Spiller (Image: University of Southampton) “The evidence is just not there as the studies have not been done”, he said.

Dr Spiller said that CCTV “excels” after a crime is committed as it is “incredibly effective” when gathering evidence.

A separate study highlighted the power of ‘natural surveillance’.

“Sometimes the cameras are built into the architecture, the parks and their paths, and this is done to eliminate the secluded areas”, Dr Spiller said.

He added: “Ultimately, it’s all about opportunity and finding ways to prevent that opportunity.

“There are a number of ways to do that, such as patrols around the park, or using ‘place managers’.

“For example, you might put an ice cream van in a certain place, and that will act as a deterrent.

“Actions like that may have a preventative impact and there’s a bit more evidence in relation to that, and that it can work well.”

Well-maintained trees and foliage in parks, trimmed bushes, proper lighting, and adequate park furniture can produce clear sightlines and promote natural surveillance, he said.