It is important that the park should be a welcoming and safe place. Please help us to keep it that way by reporting any and all security incidents that concern you. If you don't tell anybody, nothing is likely to get done.

Any serious or emergency crime should be reported immediately to the Metropolitan Police on 999.

If the crime has already taken place or it is not an emergency, you should ring 101. You can ring this number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reports can also be filed with the Met on line. A crime/incident number will be issued which can be used in further contact. Incidents should be reported because they are logged into a centralised crime reporting system. This will inform the local police station and the Neighbourhood Policing Team of the complaint, so further action can be taken. The report will also be included in the Met’s crime figures which can direct additional resources for law enforcement and youth services into the park.

There is also a dedicated police sergeant and a community support officer for Barnsbury Ward who are part of a wider Neighbourhood Policing Team covering this part of Islington. As community police, the Ward officers does a good job of working to provide more positive options, particularly among local young people. You can contact them directly on 0207 421 0328 to discuss anti-social behaviour or drug dealing, but please be aware that they work a shift pattern and are not there 24 hours a day. Alternatively, you can e-mail them. We have found that e-mails can be very effective in letting the police know what’s happening there. Copy the e-mail to us at friends@barnardpark.org and we will also pursue the matter.

Greenspace’s Parks Patrol or the “dog squad” can be contacted to deal with general park mayhem – for example scooter burning, vandalism or anti-social behaviour. Contractor Parkguard, provider of this service to the Council, is particularly good with gatherings of young people and is on duty until ten on most evenings but sometimes later. The patrol, however, is a small team and can’t be everywhere. Telephone 07970 893588.

Graffiti can be unsettling and not in keeping with the welcoming atmosphere the park needs to thrive. To have “tagging” removed from the park, call Islington Council on 0207 527 2000 to report it.

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