Locked in park (From Penarth Times)

Locked in park

THREE 70-YEAR-OLD women and another woman from Penarth were rescued by police last weekend after being locked inside Alexandra Park.

Deborah Williams of Stanwell Road said: "I was walking my dogs through the park last Saturday at 5pm and found the Rectory Road exit had been locked. As I went to check the other exits, which were all locked, I came across three elderly women who were also locked in.

"They had been visiting a relative at the Marie Curie hospice.

"At a push I could probably have scaled the fence but the three ladies certainly could not have.

"We phoned an emergency number advertised by the Vale council but there was no-one available to take the call so we had to call the police who had a set of keys.

"On the notice advertising the park's opening times it says 8am until dusk," added Mrs Williams.

"It would be far better if, rather than dusk, they put a definite closing time so there is no confusion.

"It was a frightening experience for the three ladies concerned."

The Vale Council's Operational Manager (Parks and Grounds Maintenance) Phil Beaman said: "Due to community requests and after consultation with police, the Parks and Grounds Maintenance Division has undertaken a change in policy regarding locking formal parks. This involves the locking of Belle Vue Park and Alexandra Park at dusk to reduce anti social behaviour.

"The locking of Belle Vue is straightforward as the whole of the park can be easily seen

"Due to the topography of Alexandra Park this is not so simple. The top gate at Rectory Road is closed but not locked and staff walk around the Park to advise users the park is being locked.

"The other gates are locked with the operative returning to Rectory Road to complete the process after checking the park is empty.

"It appears that on this occasion, regrettably a party of visitors were missed and accidentally locked in. I fully apologise for this and for any distress caused.