CCTV installed in park to deter antisocial driving
George Carden/BBCCCTV has been installed at a park in Crawley to deter antisocial driving and stop it being used as a "racetrack".
The camera was installed in Tilgate Park's main car park at the end of July, following complaints from residents in the area.
Crawley Borough Council, working with Sussex Police, said the camera would record number plates to identify people involved in antisocial driving and to support any enforcement action.
"It's lovely during the day, but at night it's awful," said one resident, who asked not to be named. "We have noisy cars, driving really fast and revving their engines."
She added: "Nothing has changed so far [since the CCTV was installed], a car whizzed past my house in the middle of the night. It wakes me up every night.
"By the time they get past my house, they must be doing 70mph. They're treating it like a racetrack."
Other residents said it was a problem around the town.
Denise Wilson said: "I think it's an issue, especially on the A264 cars and motorbikes race up and down there."
'Loud music'
Kamal Kaloty, who has lived in the town for 40 years, said: "There needs to be more security around here in the evenings. It's loud music and people with their windows open."
Teresa Cheal added: "We can hear it with cars speeding around, it doesn't wake me up but I can hear it. There's always been issues around here."
Councillor Chris Mullins, cabinet member for leisure and wellbeing, said: "We hope the presence of cameras will act as a deterrent and reassure residents that we are committed to addressing the issues they have reported."
Insp Ollie Buckton from Sussex Police said: "By combining community feedback, local policing knowledge and council resources, the initiative aims to improve the experience of visitors, reduce nuisance behaviour and support the wellbeing of residents living near the park."
