CCTV plan to clamp down on anti-social behaviour at Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens

Plans to install CCTV at a popular visitor attraction have been welcomed in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour.

It is also hoped that two new cameras – set to be installed at Spalding’s Ayscoughfee Hall Museum and Gardens following a £6,500-investment – will also make the public feel safer visiting the venue.

“If we can enhance and widen the coverage of CCTV, including across the district, that’s what we plan to do,” said Coun Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council Deputy Leader and Portfolio holder for Strategic Housing, Leisure Centre Delivery and Spalding Town Improvement.

“I do welcome that as we have been looking to expand into areas that it is required and we are also pleased it covers Ayscoughfee as there’s been serious investment there in recent years.”

Coun Taylor also welcomed the peace of mind the cameras would bring for visitors, knowing a deterrent was in place.

“People there playing by the rules, behaving themselves and committing no criminal activity are perfectly safe,” he said.

“But it is a tool to gather evidence if we need to regarding anti-social behaviour.”

Earlier this year police revealed they were carrying out regular patrols of the public gardens following a spate of anti-social behaviour and vandalism, which included damage to public toilets, which reopened last week.

SHDC Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities and Operational Housing, Tracey Carter said: “I welcome these two additional cameras to Ayscoughfee, we have had some recent anti-social behaviour issues in and around the gardens, so these will help deter potential offenders and provide peace of mind to both residents and visitors.

“These additional cameras will help supplement the 18 Safer Streets cameras already in Spalding, and ensure that we preserve Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens as the lovely attraction it is.”

Coun Ingrid Sheard recently called for an review of the town’s cameras after being approached by concerned residents.

She welcomed the funding, stating: “From my perspective, any additional funding we can get for additional cameras we can get anywhere in and around Spalding is absolutely fantastic news.

“In Ayscoughfee, we have an asset we need to protect and ensure that any anti-social behaviour that has been going on, we can get on top of it and curb it.”

Funding for the scheme has come from a successful joint bid by Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones and the district for Government money.

The additional funding comes just 12 months after Mr Jones secured Safer Streets funding to install 18 high-tech CCTV cameras in 18 locations around the town.

This helped the council to create a ‘safe zone area’ in Spalding town centre.

The new CCTV cameras will improve security at the 15th century hall and garden deter anti-social behaviour.

“I am delighted we have been able to add to the great work already done to keep the streets of Spalding safe,” said Mr Jones.

“The visitor economy is hugely important to the town and any acts of anti-social behaviour at a popular attraction can have ramifications beyond the crime itself.

“It is important to address these issues effectively and I am confident this latest extra funding will be another important step in protecting the town’s residents and helping Spalding to thrive.”