Security guards to patrol park

during nightly motorbike patrols of an Otley beauty spot.

Concerns that Wharfemeadows Park was becoming a target for crime and vandalism have spurred Leeds City Council into protecting the property and

members of the public.

And the twice-nightly patrols have been welcomed by residents and businesses who have complained repeatedly about the daily damage left behind by yobs.

David Asquith, owner of riverside amusements Rainbow Leisure, was among those hoping the move would kick troublemakers out of the park.

"All of us down here have had problems with these idiots and we have complained on a regular basis. Obviously this has finally been taken further and now the council is doing something to protect the park.

"At least this security system might finally get something done about them and now we'll wait and see what happens," he said.

Mr Asquith said he and his employees were frequently left to clear up the aftermath of broken bottles and damaged buildings after louts wrecked areas of the park at weekends.

"They have been causing grief at 2.30am and we've had trouble with them damaging the pool and leaving rubbish behind them. Perhaps now we won't have to clear it up afterwards."

The patrols will be made by official contractors who work for the city council in parks throughout Leeds.

Likened by Otley's Lord Mayor of Leeds Graham Kirkland to 'Darth Vaders on motorbikes', the guards are on call wherever they are in the city. Coun Kirkland said: "They can speed across to Otley in no time if there's a

complaint."

Community safety officer Sergeant Andy Oddy said previous similar schemes had been a great success in Leeds.

And he said its introduction to Otley was a very positive step.

"Obviously having an extra set of eyes and ears in there will be very helpful.

"It will certainly be beneficial from a crime point of view but also for tourists. It gives people somebody else to approach and we will be giving it our fullest support."

However, resident Norman Hindle, of nearby Bridge Avenue, was less impressed.

Alderman Hindle, a former town and city councillor, said earlier park patrols merely stopped the bad behaviour temporarily.

"We do have a lot of trouble down at the park, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when they leave the pub and create havoc. You can always see what they've been up to the day after because they leave all the damage behind," he said.

"But as for these patrols, if they come along the kids stop misbehaving and once they've gone off on their bikes, they just start again. It's a waste of time."

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