IT now seems clear from the statements of Dr Kate Moss, a law consultant writing for the Home Office, that the city council is defying the requirements of the Crime and Disorder Act by siting the Middlethorpe play area in a totally isolated and unobserved place and against the explicit advice of two police reports condemning the site (January 16).
The council seems to be relying entirely on the children being supervised while playing. So how will this supervision be ensured for all children? The assurances of the few parents promoting this scheme, that they will look after their own, cannot have any legal standing.
A council providing a playground must assume it will attract children to play. It must therefore ensure the safety of all children for the foreseeable future.
Since there is no provision for manning or restricting play hours (through locking the area) at this site, what supervision is the council providing?
To take such risks with the safety of children is too irresponsible for words. The council will have to provide full supervision itself.
L Norman,
Ainsty Avenue,
York
Updated: 11:00 Friday, January 26, 2001
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