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Woman launches campaign to increase lighting in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park in Tunbridge Wells
12:00, 25 March 2021
updated: 13:10, 25 March 2021
A woman's campaign for improved lighting in a town park is gaining momentum.
Jemima Compton, 29, has started a petition to increase lighting in Grosvenor and Hilbert Park in Tunbridge Wells, in order to make people feel safer.
Jemima Compton spoke to KMTV about why her local park needs better lighting
It comes as women across the country share their stories of feeling scared and intimidated while walking home or in public places, following the death of Sarah Everard.
Sarah, 33, was last seen walking home in Clapham, south London on Wednesday, March 3.
The following Tuesday serving Met officer Wayne Couzens, 48, was arrested in connection with her disappearance and later charged with Sarah's kidnap and murder.
Couzens has appeared at The Old Bailey and will next appear in July. A trial is expected in October.
Ms Compton's petition has got more than 500 signatures so far.
Ms Compton said: "I just don't take my dog for a walk in the evenings in the winter any more just because it's dark in so many areas that even coming just to the pond and back, that's the only lit route, than the rest of the park is completely unavailable.
"We have these benches as well where people often sit together in groups and just walking towards a group of people in pitch black becomes quite intimidating."
The Tunbridge Wells resident says this is about "everyone's safety".
"It isn't just young women that I see as vulnerable in this situation. I see a lot of people that are a little bit older and they can still feel very vulnerable."
Ms Compton's partner James Inwood says he fears for her safety when she walks through the park and he also feels unsettled by the dimly lit route.
Mr Inwood said: "My sister, my mum and my grandmother all live within 500 yards of this park and use it every single day but none of them feel confident enough to come here at night which is a real shame and with more lighting and better safety features I think they could certainly empower themselves."
A spokesperson for Tunbridge Wells Borough Council said: "The borough council works closely with key partner agencies, to address crime and anti-social behaviour in Tunbridge Wells, such as Kent Police, Kent County Council and Kent Fire and Rescue, amongst others.
"Each year this Community Safety Partnership (CSP) undertakes a community safety strategic assessment, and this in turn is used to inform our priorities for the forthcoming year
"The Partnership Plan for 2021-22 is drafted and set to be presented at full council in April.
"In respect of overall crime, Tunbridge Wells is the safest place in Kent and the borough council and its partners are committed to keeping Tunbridge Wells a safe place to live, work and visit."
To view Ms Compton's petition, click here.
