Tackling ASB at the Pavilion Gardens

Published on 9 December 2020

Partnership work is underway between the Council and the Police to tackle recent incidents of anti-social behaviour at the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton.

The public toilets at the car park had to be closed for a day last week whilst the doors were repaired following vandalism the previous evening and the benches on the Promenade have also been damaged. The benches have now been temporarily removed until arrangements can be made to fix them securely in place.

High Peak Borough Council has reported the vandalism to the Police and is working with them to make sure the Gardens, and all parks and public spaces, are places that everyone can enjoy safely.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, said: "Behaviour of this nature is not acceptable and we will not stand by and let the minority spoil things for everyone else.

"It is particularly disappointing that despite the hard work of our teams to keep much-valued amenities, such as public toilets, open and operating in a safe manner the mindless actions of the few have such an impact on the majority.

"Everyone should feel safe to walk and enjoy leisure time all our parks and public spaces at all times of the day and we're working with the Police to make sure this remains the case.

"Those who seek to cause wanton damage and who behave anti-socially should be in no doubt that we will not let this go unchecked and, together with our partners, we're working to address this at the Gardens and across the High Peak."

Sergeant Alex Clarke said: "The Pavilion Gardens are one of Buxton's most well-loved and best known areas.

"Sadly over the past weeks we have seen an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area which we have been tackling with pro-active patrols in order to prevent further incidents.

"Officers will continue these patrols in coordination with our colleagues at the Council and, as Councillor Greenhalgh has said, anyone found to be causing damage will be dealt with robustly."