Havering Council: Park Gates Stay Open Amid Safety Row

Key Points

• Havering Council has confirmed that park gates across the borough will not be locked at night, addressing resident concerns over park safety.
• Only about 25% of parks and open spaces in Havering can be locked, a situation that has always been the case.
• Data shows no significant issues with anti-social behaviour (ASB) in parks at night; most incidents occur during the day.
• Council leaders emphasise that the risk is not as alarming as some residents suggest, with robust measures in place.
• If ASB spikes occur, the Joint Enforcement Team (JET) would respond with tailored plans.
• More ASB happens in town centres, prompting a £3 million investment in CCTV upgrades and funding for Section 92 Police officers tackling car crime and burglary.
• Havering’s parks have earned 16 Green Flag awards over the past four years, with safety as a key criterion.
• The borough was named the Best London Borough in ‘London in Bloom’ for the third consecutive year, highlighting park excellence.
• The Havering Residents’ Association (HRA) administration has returned to court to maintain an injunction against unauthorised encampments in parks.
• The council’s position underscores a data-driven approach to park management, balancing access with safety investments.

Havering (East London Times) January 23, 2026 – Havering Council has firmly rebutted claims of heightened park safety risks, announcing that park gates across the borough will remain unlocked at night following a thorough data review. Councillor Barry Mugglestone, Cabinet Member for Parks, told the Havering Daily exclusively that only 25% of parks can be secured anyway, with anti-social behaviour incidents predominantly daytime occurrences. The authority stressed that the situation is not as alarming as portrayed, backed by significant investments in surveillance and policing.

Why Are Park Gates Staying Open at Night?

As reported by the Havering Daily staff in their exclusive interview on January 23, 2026, Councillor Barry Mugglestone explained the council’s stance clearly. “Parks and Open spaces, only about 25% of these can be locked and that has always been the case,” he stated. He added,

“There is no data to show there is any issues regarding not locking the park gates at night, and it would only be that 25% of those parks that could be locked.”

The data underscores a measured decision, with ASB in parks occurring mainly during daylight hours. Councillor Mugglestone noted,

“data of ASB in parks shows this is during the day, but saying that it is not alarming as some make it out to be.”

This directly counters resident anger, positioning the policy as evidence-based rather than reactive.

What Happens If Anti-Social Behaviour Spikes?

Councillor Mugglestone, speaking to the Havering Daily, outlined contingency plans.

“If there was any spikes in ASB this would go to the JET team and plans would be put in place to deal with this,”

he assured. The Joint Enforcement Team stands ready to address any upticks, ensuring swift action without blanket gate closures.

This approach prioritises flexibility, avoiding unnecessary restrictions on the 75% of parks that cannot be locked. Residents questioning the policy can take reassurance from these proactive mechanisms, as detailed in the council’s response.

How Does Town Centre ASB Compare to Parks?

The Cabinet Member highlighted a broader context in his Havering Daily interview.

“There is more ASB in Town centres, hence why the HRA administration invested about 3 Million upgrading the CCTV in the Town centres and also continue to finance the S92 Police officers who combat Car crime and Burglary,”

he said. This £3 million CCTV upgrade demonstrates targeted resource allocation where risks are highest.

Section 92 Police officers, funded by the council, focus on prevalent crimes like car theft and burglary in urban hubs. Such investments reflect a strategic shift away from park-specific measures, given the data on nocturnal safety.

What Achievements Prove Park Safety?

Havering’s parks boast impressive accolades, as Councillor Mugglestone proudly recounted to the Havering Daily.

“I am pleased to say that in the past four years we have been awarded 16 green flags for the Boroughs parks, and one of the criteria’s is how safe the parks are,”

he stated. These Green Flag Awards, judged on safety among other factors, affirm the borough’s high standards.

Furthermore,

“for information the London Borough of Havering was recognised as the Best London Borough in ‘London in Bloom’ for the third year running, that is something Havering has never achieved, and the Parks play a big part in ‘London in Bloom’.”

This third consecutive win underscores sustained excellence, with parks central to the success.

Why Is the Council Fighting Unauthorised Encampments?

Legal action forms another pillar of park protection. As per Councillor Mugglestone’s comments to the Havering Daily,

“The HRA has gone back to court to continue to keep the court injunction in place regarding any unauthorised encampment’s in our parks and open spaces.”

This ongoing injunction battle signals commitment to preventing disruptions.

The move reinforces resident access to green spaces, free from temporary occupations. It aligns with the council’s broader care for parks, as evidenced by multiple initiatives.

What Do Council Leaders Say About Overall Park Care?

Wrapping up his exclusive remarks to the Havering Daily on January 23, 2026, Councillor Mugglestone concluded,

“I believe we have proven that we care about our parks and open spaces and will continue to do so.”

This encapsulates the authority’s philosophy: data-led decisions paired with investments ensure safety without overreach.

The response clarifies that open gates do not equate to neglect. Ongoing enhancements in CCTV, policing, and legal safeguards maintain park usability for all.

How Have Residents Reacted to the Controversy?

Resident questions and anger have spotlighted park safety, prompting the council’s detailed rebuttal. While specific voices are not quoted in the Havering Daily coverage, the controversy stems from perceptions of night-time vulnerability. The council’s data-driven reply aims to quell these fears, emphasising daytime ASB prevalence.

This public discourse highlights community engagement, with the authority directly addressing concerns through transparent communication.

What Measures Ensure Continued Park Enjoyment?

The Havering Daily article notes that

“the council’s response makes clear that keeping park gates open at night is a measured decision based on safety data, while ongoing investments in CCTV, policing, and legal enforcement ensure residents can continue to enjoy Havering’s parks without compromise.”

These layered protections prioritise accessibility.

From Green Flags to Bloom triumphs, tangible results back the strategy. Residents benefit from award-winning spaces upheld by vigilant oversight.

Is This Policy Change or Continuity?

No shift has occurred; only 25% lockability has long prevailed, as Councillor Mugglestone affirmed to the Havering Daily. The clarification dispels notions of new laxity, rooted instead in unchanged infrastructure and incident patterns. Night-time data shows no pressing need for alteration.

This continuity allows focus on high-impact areas like town centres, optimising limited resources.

What Role Does Data Play in Decisions?

Data reigns central, per the exclusive interview. ASB patterns, lockable park percentages, and award criteria all inform policy. Councillor Mugglestone’s remarks—“There is no data to show there is any issues”—exemplify this empirical foundation.

Such reliance fosters trust, countering anecdotal alarms with verifiable insights.

How Does Havering Compare to Other Boroughs?

As the top ‘London in Bloom’ borough for three years, Havering outshines peers, with parks pivotal. Sixteen Green Flags in four years further elevate its standing. These metrics, cited by Councillor Mugglestone in the Havering Daily, position Havering as a leader in safe, quality green spaces.

No comparable borough-wide data emerges from the coverage, but accolades suggest superiority.

What’s Next for Park Management?

Forward commitment shines through. JET readiness, injunction pursuits, and policing funds signal proactive evolution. “Plans would be put in place to deal with this,” as the Cabinet Member assured, promises adaptability.

Residents can anticipate sustained excellence, with safety woven into every strategy.

The council’s comprehensive rebuttal, rooted in facts and achievements, navigates the controversy with professionalism. Havering’s parks remain jewels, accessible and secure through balanced governance.