Basildon parks could get wardens in post sex attack crackdown

The news comes as Kerry Smith, deputy leader of Basildon council, told women not to go out alone at night after a spate of assaults across the borough.

Now he has announced the council plans to introduce park wardens to stop the attacks, subject to councillor approval, and could even provide a hotline to call for help.

Four assaults on women in February are all being linked, and CCTV images were released of a man who Essex Police want to speak to regarding the incidents.

The first incident took place on February 5 at 2pm when a woman was followed by a man in Broadhurst Place On the same day, a 34-year-old woman was attacked when someone grabbed her on Wickhay at 5.40pm.

On February 15, a woman in her 20s was assaulted by a man in Pamplins at around 2.30pm.

Shortly before 3pm on the same day, another woman reported being approached from behind by a man in Nether Priors and sexually assaulted. This also saw the victim grabbed from behind in the chest area.

Police want to speak to this man in connection to the incidents

Mr Smith said the council had budgeted for new wardens for the 2021/22 financial year, and it had been planned due to a number of incidents of anti-social behaviour, out of control dogs and attacks across the borough.

He said: “The council has brought in park wardens. There will be phone numbers placed in parks.

“If you’re in the park you can put the number into your phone and call it and wardens will turn up in their vans.”

“They will be available to any park.”

Mr Smith said once the funds became available on April 1, officers would draw up the measures to then be put to councillors for approval.