Posted By Dazmo Hello For various reasons a park has to be securely locked at night. Park manager encounters groups of youths who refuse to leave, breaking bylaws of park. Manager cannot forcibly evict youths (they aren’t too bothered about the bylaws), and police do not see as high priority and so reluctant to turn out to remove the trespassers. Operationally it is not possible to check back periodically in the hope they may have found somewhere else to go. If a gate is left open for the youths to leave people will be wondering in and out all night, with the possibility of injuries to the public/damage to fabric of park etc If all the gates are locked with the youths inside they will have to climb out somehow, with the possibility of injuries to the public/damage to fabric of park etc To lock – or not to lock. That is the question. Any comments gratefully received. Kind regards Dazmo

Posted By John Allen As we lock up a higher percentage of people than any other country in Europe the remark “law breakers always win” seems inaccurate as well as facetious. In civil cases the defence of Volens can be successfully used if this is appropriate. In the recent pool diving case the injured party was adjudged to have been the architect of his own misfortune for ignoring the warning signs. Hopefully I can be of help. I wonder why the park has to be locked? If plant or equipment is kept there can’t it be stored in a locked compound. If there is a pond which must be safeguarded again why can’t this area alone be fenced and kept locked at night? Perhaps an "exit only" gate after entrance gates have been locked. Plenty of parks are "open all hours".

Posted By Stephen D. Clarke Hi, We have had similar problems in some libraries where groups of youngsters, typically 12-16 years old, have refused to leave, thrown books around, been physically and verbally abusive to staff etc. Particularly nasty where there is only one member of staff on duty, female, 40-60 years old. This sort of thing appears to be common and increasing in both the rural and urban environment. What did we do: ensured staff had V/A training, no lone working, male staff on duty,CCTV and alarms, closing library at high risk times, involving youth workers and other nearby premises who were also being targetted and employing security guards at high risk times. We also involved the police, local community officers usually being very helpful although that depends upon how busy they are, also went down the route to anti-social behaviour orders. We found that employing security guards at high risk times, although expensive, was very effective.

Posted By Garry What kind of locks are used to lock the gate? Would it be possible to change the locks to a type similar to the lockable push bar types and a door type closing mechanism fitted? That way the gates could be locked at the correct time and when the youths leave the gates would close and be secured? I dont know if this would be a perfect solution but it worth thinking about. Garry

Posted By Ron Hunter It would help to know why the Park has to be locked, however I seem to recall that Edinburgh Zoo ( a large, sprawling site on the side of a hill) had one-way exit turnstiles at various locations for the 'convenience' of patrons.Now there's a thought - why not arrange to let the Lions and Tigers out at closing time? That might be an incentive to leave on time!! Only kidding! ;)