ALTON Town Council is again considering closing the Public Gardens at night, after a recent spate of vandalism.
The idea was discussed at the meeting of the full council last Thursday.
Evening closure of the Public Gardens was previously considered last year, when a similar spate of vandalism threatened the security of the park. This was avoided due to increased police patrols through the park promised by Alton Police Chief, Inspector Steve Mote.
A recent town council evaluation of vandalism in the Public Gardens put the incident rate of damage at one per day, a figure the council considered unacceptable. The majority of members held the view that closure of the gardens at night must again be considered to tackle the issue.
However, Peter Whitmarsh warned against this course of action. He said: ÒThe main reason we didnÕt go through with this last time was that shutting the gardens would mean that those who do get in would be undisturbed by passers-by. This would give the vandals the freedom to do what they like, and would probably make the situation worse.Ó
The council eventually instructed Alton Town Clerk Steve Parkinson to contact Inspector Mote about the matter, so a course of action can be decided.