A Stockport Council committee has heard proposals to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) in Davenport playing fields. 

The Central Stockport area committee heard how the fields were frequently subject to reports of ASB, including offroad bikes, graffiti, fly-tipping, gas canister use, and drug-dealing in the car park. 

Mr Adam Forbes sought approval from the committee to maintain the existing ASB measures (chiefly, access restrictions to the fields) and for a new CCTV camera. 

Speaking of the existing restrictions (a knee fence and A-frames at entrances to inhibit access to offroad bikes) Mr Forbes said: "Those actions have had some effect in that the number of incidents of offroad bikes has been reduced. It hasn't been eliminated, because we need to maintain public access to these fields."

Whilst the access restrictions can in turn restrict access to wheelchair users and push-buggies, Mr Forbes argued that these measures were proportional, and "continue to serve a purpose".

The committee agreed to keep these measures in place. 

Mr Forbes also sought agreement for a new CCTV camera. A camera had been installed last year, near the changing rooms of the park. The camera had stayed in place for six weeks before being vandalised. 

The committee heard proposals for a new camera of a different style and in a different location. It has yet to agree, on account of the need to find funding for a new camera. The matter will be revisited early next year.

Councillor Janet Mobbs said: "I know this has been a long-running issue. There is always that need, again, to balance people's access to the field and other concerns around ASB. There isn't ever going to be a simple solution here."

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