Local people gathered at Arlington Gardens, Clifton, on Saturday (26 January) to see environment improvements that are already already reducing crime in the area.
Arlington Gardens is public land, not owned by the council, and had become very overgrown. Patrols had shown thieves were hiding there to target houses for burglaries and conceal stolen goods. Now the land has been cleared and as a result burglaries have already been cut significantly.
“This had become a burglary hotspot particularly of student houses in Arlington Villas where the residents have small, easy to steal items and are often out of their houses,” said Emma Martinez, a Safer Bristol Community Safety Officer, who was involved in the drive to improve the situation with Bristol Area Engagement Team, working with local residents and the local police. “Local residents were delighted at the improvements. Mothers are now allowing their children to play in the area which they couldn’t when it was overgrown”, said Emma Martinez.
Deborah White from the Area Engagement Team had organized, through Avon and Somerset Probation Service, a community payback team to clear the ground and on Saturday a team continued the work, also helping to plant two sacks full of bulbs.
“Now we want to encourage local residents with interest in the park area, to maintain the land in the future and this event should help to inform them and give them confidence to pursue development of the park as an independent entity.” said Emma Martinez.
Also present were members of the residents association of Easter Gardens to share their knowledge and experiences in looking after public land.
