Parent group launches Parkwatch

Parkwatch by Parents Against Grooming UK

Parents Against Grooming UK (PAGUK) has launched its ‘Parkwatch’ parent patrols.

A response measure, Parkwatch has been set up by the group after noticing a number of sexual attacks taking place in the borough’s parks.

Founder William Howarth said: “After many years of reports and incidents that are coming in to the PAGUK team we set out patrolling some of these parks during parent patrol.

“What we witnessed was frightening: easy access, poor lighting, no policing, no CCTV, no safeguarding,

“We set about doing some research into this and it is apparent through the sheer number of attacks of a sexual nature, there was a pattern emerging within our parks and it was on this we decided to pilot Parkwatch.”

PAGUK’s Parkwatch team will patrol the borough’s parks at random, and also speak to members of the public to raise awareness of the dangers that parks can hide.

Mr Howarth added: “We will also be placing stickers around with the Parents Against Grooming UK number so if anyone comes across anything suspicious, we can continue to log these incidents to pass to the police.

“We want to educate children that although these parks seem like the perfect place to hang out with no police to move you on, poorly lighting and no cctv, there is no safety.

“The very thing that attracts children and young people to this park is also the very thing that is attracting predators there. Be safe, be vigilant and report it.”

PAGUK was set up in 2012 after the founders had direct dealings with or knew parents whose children had been involved with grooming or had been approached.