A decision on whether to lock the gates of Fassnidge Park each evening has been postponed as council officers are to gather further data from the police and explore the feasibility of a voluntary gate-locking scheme.
The petition hearing, held on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, considered residents' concerns about antisocial behaviour (ASB), including late-night noise, vandalism, drug activity, and fireworks, which they claim are disrupting the local community and affecting safety.
Councillor Wayne Bridges, Cabinet Member for Community & Environment, heard from petitioners who stated that six crimes had been reported in the park in the past year, including a serious sexual assault, and that police advice recommended locking the park. They argued that the council's current policy of keeping parks unlocked, a cost-saving measure of approximately £35,000 annually, was unsuitable for an urban park in a densely populated area.
Councillor Tony Burles, the Ward Councillor for Uxbridge, supported the petition, highlighting the need to prioritise resident safety and noting the park's central location attracts late-night gatherings. A written submission from Councillor Farhad Choubedar also supported nightly gate locking and improved fencing.
However, Jordan Groves, Head of Waste and Green Spaces, explained that the decision to cease locking park gates was a cost-saving measure and that many councils were adopting a similar approach without seeing an increase in ASB.
Councillor Bridges noted a discrepancy between the data presented in the officer report and the accounts provided by the petitioners. The minutes further elaborate that the data presented in the officer report did not align with the accounts provided during the meeting.
He expressed disappointment at the limited police input and instructed officers to obtain further data from the police and to explore the feasibility of a voluntary gate-locking scheme before a final determination could be made. Council officers have been instructed to seek additional data from the police and any supporting statistics before a full determination could be made.
The Cabinet Member resolved to note the petition, consider the residents' request, and note the council's current policy on park locking and its financial implications. Officers were instructed to seek additional data from the police and supporting statistics.
The meeting was attended by Councillor Wayne Bridges, Councillor Tony Burles, Jordan Groves, and Anisha Teji. The agenda and reports pack for this meeting can be found at Agenda frontsheet 17th-Mar-2026 19.00 Petition Hearing - Cabinet Member for Community Environmen and Public reports pack 17th-Mar-2026 19.00 Petition Hearing - Cabinet Member for Community Environm respectively. The minutes of the meeting are available at Printed minutes 17th-Mar-2026 19.00 Petition Hearing - Cabinet Member for Community Environment.
