Park Safety
Havering Council is currently scrutinising its policy on locking park gates at night, following a decision to cease the practice in 2022.
Havering Council's Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee discussed park safety, access, and gate management in November 2026. This followed resident concerns that park gates have not been routinely locked at night since 2022. The committee heard calls for more data and a clearer rationale for the policy, which ceased in autumn 2022 as part of the council’s medium-term financial strategy. A full report is expected in January 2027.
The Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee in Havering received a verbal update on park safety in November 2026, with a detailed report scheduled for January 2027. This ongoing discussion concerns measures to ensure the security and well-being of individuals within public parks, including the management of park access and gate locking policies.
Key facts
- Havering Council's Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee discussed park safety, access, and gate management in November 2026. Source
- Park gates across Havering have not been routinely locked at night since 2022. Source
- The practice of locking park gates in Havering stopped in autumn 2022 as part of the council’s medium-term financial strategy. Source
- Of Havering’s 89 parks, 34 have lockable gates, according to a report to the committee. Source
- A full report on park safety for Havering's Place Overview & Scrutiny Sub Committee is expected in January 2027. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 12 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.