BASILDON Council have been asked to consider installing CCTV cameras at two popular parks to stop crime and antisocial behaviour.

Wickford Independent councillors David Harrison and Alan Ball asked the council to allocate a budget to heighten security at Wickford Memorial Park and Nevendon Park.

So far, a cost to the CCTV has not been discussed.

Both parks have become a target of anti-social behaviour activities and vandalism, and the two councillors are keen to protect the well-loved parks from damage.

Mr Harrison, representing Wickford Park, said: “The budget will be put in consideration at the next policy and resources committee meeting. If approved, it will be discussed at the full council meeting on February 8.

“Hopefully the council will give us the green light. There’s been anti-social behaviour in the parks and its facilities have been damaged. Our initiative is welcomed by residents. They had also approached us to improve security measures in the parks.

“The CCTV cameras will give people an assurance that they’re safe in the park. The cameras will come especially handy as there are plans to move the Wickford Community Centre to Nevendon Park.”

Councillor Alan Ball, representing Wickford Castledon, said: “We’ve enhanced CCTV in the High Street so now we want to extend that to the two parks and see what we can achieve from that.

“The CCTV will protect the parks from vandalism. Residents have strongly backed our initiative, we’re just trying to do what residents request.

“We have been pushing for this for a while. The cameras will be helpful as we’ve just installed new play equipment in Wickford Memorial Park, and there are plans to move Wickford Community Centre to Nevendon Park.”

Late last year, yobs set fire to bins in Wickford Memorial Park which outraged ward councillors.

In September, yobs damaged the well-loved Poppy Pavillion cafe where council officers found several holes in the roof.

Two years ago, in the lead up to Christmas, thugs used catapults to knock squirrels out of trees. Four years ago, vandals damaged two plaques.