Concerns over anti-social behaviour and crime at a Warwick park have led to the launch of a petition for more surveillance in the area.

Calls for more CCTV cameras at St Nicholas Park in Warwick have been made, with an official petition launched on change.org.

Currently, the petition has 323 signatures.

It comes after an increase in safeguarding concerns for users of the park, with several incidents sparking cause for concern.

As stated in the petition, incidents in the park over the past few years have included: "a school boy being knocked unconscious and his phone stolen, poaching of a swan and other wildlife, three 12-year-olds being threatened with a machete and having their bikes stolen."

The petition states: "These incidents must be cause for significant alarm, especially in the face of increasing knife crime.

"This evidence must justify the expenditure of a few thousand pounds for CCTV cameras to replace those removed by Warwick District Council. The benefits of 24-hour CCTV coverage are well-rehearsed. Cameras provide a constant visual deterrent for crime prevention that is immeasurable. It has already been demonstrated that crime rates reduced where an extra camera was recently installed in a hot spot."

The petition also criticises measures taken by the Police's Safer Neighbourhoods Team and Warwick District Council describing action taken as "inadequate in deterring criminal behaviour."

advertisement

"We particularly request more CCTV cameras to provide complete coverage for the route to school taken by children crossing the park to attend the four schools on each side of the river.

"We believe that all park users, especially school children, are at increasing risk of harm unless swift and effective action is taken to safeguard them."

To view the petition visit here.