Issue 139

Fears Raised Over Singleton Park Safety

13th February 2006

Fears over the safety of those crossing Singleton Park at night have again been raised after a female student reported an incident to Swansea Police last week.

The student, who does not wish to be named, was walking from Brynmill to the university through Singleton Park at around 9pm when she noticed a man standing beside the path with his trousers down, allegedly committing a lewd act. "I was sitting in the library ten minutes later and I began to doubt what I'd seen," she explained. "I was thinking that perhaps it was a tree or something."

Walking back home through the park around an hour later the man reappeared, leaving the student in no doubt as to what she had witnessed. "I reported the incident to Swansea Police and I know they visited the park to take a look around." The student was later asked if she would be able to identify the man but was unable to.

On-campus policeman PC Edwards said, "We would discourage people from using the park at night in the interests of safety."

SU President Becki McKinlay advised students to avoid walking through the park alone,

"Walk down to the main entrance of campus and walk along the main road, or get a taxi. There are also personal attack alarms available from the SU."

This advice was backed up by PC Edwards who added, "There is a more visible police presence on the Mumbles Road and main streets."

A number of suggestions have been put forward to help make the park a safer place at night, including CCTV and improved lighting. PC Edwards explained that due to limited resources regular police patrols through the park were not possible.

McKinlay added that, "Gravel in the darker spaces so you can hear people, and more lights from the uni gate down to the seafront would make a big difference."

"Not enough is being done enough at the moment, what is it going to take for the police and council to take the situation seriously. This is the second incident in two months but still we're being told nothing can be done."

PC Edwards reiterated that little can be done unless students report any incidents which occur. "If students are concerned for their personal safety they should contact the police and where possible try to obtain a good description of the offender."

Local Liberal Democrat counselor Peter May also asked students to make him aware of any incidents. "The Council log trends in complaints and take action if there is a high volume of calls regarding a specific location," he explained.

"Since I have made people aware, this mechanism has provided solutions for incidents in Victoria and Brynmill parks."

Dave Lamont