Residents in Middlesbrough are calling on the local council to install working security cameras in Albert Park, citing long-standing safety concerns following a violent incident last year. A petition hosted by Teesside Connected is urging Mayor Chris Cooke and the Middlesbrough Council to take action to improve surveillance within the park.
The call for action follows an attack on 26 June 2025, where a group of approximately 15 men assaulted two victims near the park gates at the Linthorpe Road entrance. The attackers were reported to be carrying knives, poles, and hammers, leaving one victim with a head injury and another with injuries to his hand and arm. In response to the incident, Cleveland Police implemented a dispersal order that covered the park and several surrounding roads to help curb anti-social behaviour.
Members of the Friends of Albert Park group have raised concerns regarding camera reliability since 2017. Campaigners have long argued that existing cameras often fail to function or have their views blocked by trees and bushes. While the council has previously announced investments for park security, including a £100,000 pledge in 2021 to replace equipment and add cameras, and a £350,000 town-wide surveillance expansion approved in 2022, residents argue that more is needed to ensure safety.
Public safety infrastructure in the area has faced challenges, including incidents of vandalism. In August 2024, a newly installed CCTV pole on Valley Road was cut down with a saw less than 24 hours after it was put in place. Despite such setbacks, the council is currently considering further investment.
Mayor Chris Cooke has included a proposal in the 2026/27 budget to allocate £700,000 toward play park maintenance, the return of park keepers, and the strengthening of monitoring across the council’s existing CCTV network. While these budget plans include provisions to fight anti-social behaviour, specific details regarding potential upgrades for Albert Park have yet to be confirmed.
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