Media Release – Friday 5 February 2016

Playground security measures doing the job

Security measures in place at Margaret Mahy Family Playground are proving their worth, with a person being arrested after an act of vandalism.

A person was spotted at the playground early this morning tagging a slide, and following a phone call made by security staff, an arrest was later made by police.

“It’s very disappointing to think anyone would want to vandalise a new facility that has been built for the kids and their families to have some fun,” says Christchurch Central Development Unit Deputy Director Greg Wilson.

“However it’s pleasing to see security staff picked up immediately on what was happening, and an arrest was made soon after. I think it sends a clear message to anyone thinking of vandalising the playground, or disrupting the experience of the playground users, that they will be seen and something will be done about it.”

“We’ve also had the odd incident of other anti-social behaviour since the playground opened, and with the measures in place, that’s been dealt with pretty quickly. Thankfully these incidents don’t happen often.”

In addition to security staff at the playground, the site is fully lit at night and there are high-resolution cameras over the playground linked directly to the police on the look-out for any criminal or anti-social behaviour.

The playground has proven hugely popular since its opening just prior to Christmas, with an estimate of more than 100,000 people having visited.

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