Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour in our local parks

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) is virtually any intimidating or threatening activity that scares you or damages your quality of life. Many communities are affected by rowdy, noisy behaviour, yobbish behaviour, vandalism and graffiti. This doesn’t just make life unpleasant. It holds back the regeneration of disadvantaged areas and creates an environment where more serious crime can take hold.

Proludic have always promoted the importance of ‘engaging’ teenagers through positive, challenging play and sport experiences. In many cases we find that good play equipment not only needs to offer dynamic, competitive challenges but also has to look the part and be able to stand-up to the level of use and misuse that we see in our parks and play areas.

Over the last four years Proludic have see how effective the selection of the right play equipment can be. Dave Bailey from Proludic explains: “We have our dynamic sports equipment in some of the most challenging areas in both urban and rural settings. Although we do see some level of ‘cosmetic’ abuse to the equipment, in most cases the users take ownership and steer away from creating problems in other areas.”

Further research tells us that well designed sport and play areas can contribute dramatically to reducing ASB and have a positive effect on the community as a whole.

Greville Smyth Park in Bristol, had fallen into disrepair due to ASB and frequent acts of vandalism. Following a public consultation exercise it was decided that the area would benefit from the Proludic Sport – Dynamic Structures range which would provide challenging and robust equipment that would engage older children and provide for the teenage groups from the local area.

The Site has been open to the public since 2005 and has had a fantastic response from residents and the children using it. More importantly, acts of vandalism within the park and ASB incidents have all but disappeared.

“The play area is now thriving with the young people of Bristol using it to have fun – the very purpose for which it was intended.”
Jill Batton, Play Support Officer for Bristol City Council

In recent years, it has been identified that the number of crimes committed by girls in England and Wales has increased by 25%. The Youth Justice Board says girls committed 59,000 offences in 2006-07 – up 12,000 on 2003-4. There were also significant increases in minor assaults, robberies, public order offences and criminal damage.

Proludic have also been working with teenage girls to identify how to engage them through outdoor fitness activities and enable them to play a more positive role within their community. Supported by an independent research project in association with Bristol University, Proludic have been showcasing the benefits of a Multi Use Sports Area (MUSA), as an effective way to entice more girls into sport, play and fitness activities.

Brian Knowles – Leisure Facilities Manager for Rushcliffe Borough Council comments:

“The manner in which teenage girls have used the MUSA is one of the most pleasing aspects of their success – yes we expected girls to be visiting the sites but we have been delighted by their use of the dynamic equipment. They’ve really shown the boys what they can do!! Both sites have also seen a reduction in anti social behaviour since the installation of the equipment.”

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