Councillors urged to install CCTV in Paisley parks after woman raped

Renfrewshire councillors have been urged to support a plea to install CCTV in all of its main parks after a woman was raped in Paisley last month.

The need to do so “could not be clearer”, claimed a “horrified” elected member, after the attack in Brodie Park in mid-November.

Councillor Graeme Clark has submitted a motion to next Thursday’s full council meeting and encouraged his peers of all parties and none to come together on the issue.

The Labour representative for Paisley Northeast and Ralston said: “I am horrified by what took place at Brodie Park recently and my thoughts are with the victim at this extremely difficult time.

“The need for CCTV in our local parks could not be clearer – to help deter crime as well as to aid police investigations – and I am deeply disappointed that the council appears not to have heeded my previous calls on the issue whatsoever.

“The council can no longer ignore the need for this and that’s why I have lodged this motion. Councillors clearly need to take a lead on the issue of community safety.

“The council must urgently reconsider its approach to its CCTV policy and finally take action to install cameras in all of Renfrewshire’s main parks so that people here can feel safe in their own area.

“Our parks should be safe for women, safe for children and safe for all. I would urge councillors from all parties and none to back my motion and roll out CCTV in our parks.

“We all believe in public safety and surely we can all come together on a matter like this.”

The serious sexual assault in Brodie Park happened around 4.30am on Sunday, November 16. Police Scotland confirmed enquiries are ongoing.

The woman was left extremely frightened and the suspect described as white, in his early 20s, with a local accent and wearing dark grey clothing.

Earlier this week, Neil Bibby, Paisley-based MSP for West Scotland, said it was the latest in a line of concerning incidents in public parks.

The Labour politician requested CCTV be installed in Barshaw Park in the summer of 2024 – arguing locals had raised concerns about safety. He repeated his call in the spring following reports unidentified men had filmed children in the park.

“The rape of a young woman in Brodie Park was horrific and appalling,” said Bibby.

“My heart goes out to her and I would urge anyone with any information to contact the police.

“The wrongs to the victim cannot be undone. But the inaction of Renfrewshire Council in refusing to install CCTV in our parks can be undone tomorrow, if there is a will.”

Councillor Clark’s motion asks for a review of the council’s CCTV policy with the aim of placing cameras in all of Renfrewshire’s main parks to assist with the “safety and wellbeing” of people.

It is understood the local authority has started an exercise looking at the practicality of installing CCTV within the 41 parks that don’t have it.

It is only considered effective if put in place with street lighting, otherwise lighting levels would be too low to record meaningful footage.

An update on current provision and potential options could be presented at a future meeting of the infrastructure, land and environment policy board.

A council spokesperson said: “The safety of everyone in our communities is paramount and we regularly review the current CCTV provision in Renfrewshire in line with our approved policy.

“This is an ongoing process which helps identify if any alterations are required and councillors will have the chance to discuss this further at the forthcoming council meeting.”