Key Points
- Havering Council has ordered the temporary closure of an entrance gate at Lawns Park in Romford following multiple complaints from residents regarding anti-social behaviour.
- Councillor Martynas Cekavicius, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, formally announced the decision, acknowledging the inconvenience to visitors whilst apologising for the disruption.
- Multi-agency enforcement will be stepped up across the 17-acre green space, featuring joint patrols from the Metropolitan Police, Parks Police, and Havering Council’s Enforcement Team.
- Anti-social behaviour concerns in the vicinity have been building, following prior safety interventions including a Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Walk & Talk event led by the Mawney’s Safer Neighbourhood Team.
- The local authority aims to safeguard the park’s environment and preserve its status as one of Havering’s 16 designated Green Flag award sites.
Romford (East London Times) October 2, 2026 – A gate at Lawns Park in Romford is being temporarily closed following multiple complaints from local residents regarding anti-social behaviour, with Havering Council promising an increased presence of police, Parks Police, and municipal enforcement patrols in the immediate area. The local authority has taken the decision to shut the access point whilst it collaborates with law enforcement and specialist teams on supplementary measures aimed at enhancing security and safety for nearby householders and park visitors alike.
According to Councillor Martynas Cekavicius, Cabinet Member for Public Realm, the action was dictated by persistent reports regarding disorderly conduct around the perimeter of the green space. Councillor Cekavicius explained that
“Following multiple complaints from local residents regarding anti-social behaviour around Lawns Park, the Council has made the decision to temporarily close this gate.”
He acknowledged the operational disruption caused to regular visitors, adding:
“This decision has not been taken lightly, and we understand this will be a short-term inconvenience to some park users, for which we apologise.”
Havering Council confirmed that the physical restriction of access is intended as a direct targeted measure to curb ongoing disorder while comprehensive safety protocols are formalised. Councillor Cekavicius further elaborated that
“The temporary closure is intended to help address the ongoing issues while additional measures are put in place to improve safety in Lawns Park for park users and local residents.”
He stressed the collaborative nature of the intervention, stating,
“We are supporting the Police in their efforts to take appropriate action in response to those responsible. There will be an increased Police presence in the area, with additional patrols by the Police, Parks Police and our own Enforcement Team.”
The local authority’s decision comes after wider public safety and disorder concerns had already been highlighted in connection with Lawns Park. A local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) attached to the Mawney’s Safer Neighbourhood Team issued an official community alert, specifically citing anti-social behaviour occurring within Lawns Park grounds. As part of that operational response, the team organised an evening Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Walk & Talk initiative at the location, encouraging community members to engage directly with officers to share intelligence and report specific incidents.
Lawns Park represents a significant piece of public open space situated between Romford and Collier Row, spanning approximately 17 acres. The recreational ground accommodates a wide range of facilities, including a children’s play area, a multi-use games area, various sports facilities, and an outdoor gym, making it a primary amenity for local families and fitness enthusiasts. Under standard operating conditions, the park opens daily from 8:00am until dusk, with four established public entrances situated along Mashiters Hill, Horndon Road, Playfield Avenue, and The Drive.
The location is also notable for holding a Green Flag award—a national benchmark evaluating maintenance standards, cleanliness, safety, and visitor facilities. Havering Council successfully retained Green Flag status across all 16 of its designated parks for the sixth consecutive year in 2026. Municipal officers view the targeted access restriction as a necessary intervention to protect the general public and preserve the quality of the park environment amidst ongoing complaints. For local residents, the council’s overarching message remains that complaints are being actively addressed, with members of the public advised to expect a heightened uniformed presence comprising police officers, Parks Police, and municipal enforcement personnel.
Background of the Development
Lawns Park has long served as a key recreational hub connecting the residential areas of Romford and Collier Row. Spanning 17 acres, the park’s multi-faceted infrastructure—comprising sports fields, fitness spaces, and children’s areas—naturally attracts high footfall throughout the week. However, multi-use green spaces situated between urban residential corridors frequently present complex community policing challenges, particularly during evening hours after dusk.
The escalation toward gate restriction follows a pattern of heightened local policing efforts in the Mawney ward. Community alerts issued by the local Safer Neighbourhood Team indicate that anti-social behaviour in and around Lawns Park has been an ongoing point of friction for householders whose properties border the boundary lines and access paths. The introduction of targeted initiatives, such as the Violence Against Women and Girls Walk & Talk sessions, underscored growing concern from both law enforcement and the public regarding personal safety, visibility, and perimeter security within the park.
Additionally, Havering Council’s maintenance of its 16 Green Flag awards places an operational requirement on the authority to meet rigid national criteria concerning safety, security, and litter management. Because anti-social behaviour directly threatens a site’s compliance with Green Flag safety standards, municipal leaders faced increasing pressure to take physical preventive actions—such as limiting specific egress and access points—to restore order and maintain civic quality standards across their public realm assets.
Prediction: How This Development Will Affect Local Residents and Park Users
The temporary closure of the Lawns Park entrance and the accompanying surge in uniformed security patrols are expected to have direct practical and social impacts on the local community, particularly residents residing on adjacent residential streets and regular park visitors.
Operational and Accessibility Impacts
- Pedestrian Diversions: Visitors who routinely use the affected gate—especially elderly residents, parents with pushchairs, and dog walkers—will face longer pedestrian routes to reach alternative access points along Mashiters Hill, Horndon Road, Playfield Avenue, or The Drive.
- Footfall Displacement: Closing a specific access point may temporarily alter pedestrian traffic patterns, potentially shifting footfall and parking pressure toward the remaining open entrances along nearby suburban roads.
Safety and Community Effects
- Deterrence of Anti-Social Behaviour: The heightened visual presence of Metropolitan Police officers, Parks Police, and council enforcement staff is likely to suppress congregating and disruptive activity around the park perimeter during key afternoon and evening hours.
- Increased Reassurance for Vulnerable Users: Enhanced patrolling regimes and visible enforcement actions should bolster public confidence among park visitors, specifically families using the play facilities and women utilising the space during early morning or dusk hours.
- Community Scrutiny of Council Timelines: As the closure has been explicitly framed as a short-term emergency measure, local residents will closely monitor the duration of the restriction. The council will face ongoing scrutiny to deliver permanent safety improvements so that full public access can be safely restored without delay.
