New ‘smart’ lighting is improving safety for residents and visitors in Portland Square Park, Carlisle.
Cumberland Council has installed five lights with £20,000 of funding from the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, through the government’s Hotspot Action Fund.
The lights, which turn on when they detect someone entering the park, will significantly increase safety and visibility in an area which has suffered antisocial behaviour and crime. There was previously no specific lighting in the park.
Cllr Justin McDermott, Cumberland’s Executive Member for Public Health and Communities, said:
“This shows what can be achieved when partners and residents work together on community safety. This was led by our Local Focus Hub, and is part of a suite of improvements from partners and local residents. Together they create a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone who uses Portland Square Park.
“We have been working to improve safety with the police, the developer of adjacent properties, and people living in Portland Square. Residents themselves have invested in extending CCTV coverage at the park’s entrances.
“We also cut back trees to provide clear sightlines for the CCTV cameras, and brought the area into a Public Space Protection Order zone - allowing police and council officers to issue £100 on-the-spot fines for antisocial behaviour.”
David Allen, Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:
“Everyone deserves to feel safe and welcome in their own community. Parks are a great place to meet friends and spend time with family. However, at night with no lighting, it can feel quite intimidating. That is why I was happy to support Cumberland Council’s bid to add lights to Portland Square Park.
“This funding is part of Operation Enhance, which aims to tackle antisocial behaviour in hotspot areas in the county and I hope that visitors to the park see a difference and feel more comfortable in the area at night.
“Of course, if residents are still seeing antisocial behaviour in the area, I would urge them to report it to the police on 101. Every report helps us build a better understanding of the crime that goes on across the county and informs the police on where resources need to be placed, so if you see it, report it.”
The park had been highlighted as a hotspot for antisocial behaviour, including drug-related activity, environmental crime and other serious crimes. The lighting and other improvements are already helping deter crime, improve natural surveillance, and restore public confidence.
Resident Chris McClelland said:
“Since the new lights were installed, the change has been incredible. For the first time in a long while, the area feels warm and alive again. Walking home in the evenings now feels safer, calmer, and so much more reassuring. It’s given us a renewed sense of pride in our community, and it genuinely means a lot to know that our neighbourhood is being cared for.”
The project was led by the Local Focus Hub for the Carlisle Area. The hub is led and managed by Cumberland Council, and partners include Cumbria Police, Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service, the probation service, social landlords, mental health services, and other partners as necessary. It aims to collectively tackle antisocial behaviour and its causes.
Funding for the smart lighting in Portland Square Park was awarded by the Office for Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, which administers it on behalf of the Home Office’s Hotspot Action Fund.
The lighting scheme was designed and installed by the council’s Highways Street Lighting team and vegetation was cut back by the Green Spaces team.
The Local Focus Hub will continue to monitor the impact of the improvements as part of its commitment to tackling antisocial behaviour and supporting safe, vibrant neighbourhoods.