BY Court of Appeal ruling in 2017, Finsbury Park—like other parks "owned" by local authorities—is held by Haringey Council in trust for the public.

But how seriously does the council take this trust?

They say they raise £1.2 million on the park (through intensive commercial exploitation). They claim that every penny is ploughed back into Finsbury Park as required by the same Court ruling.

However there is little evidence of such a big sum actually being used for the benefit of our park. The impression given is that much or most of this money is siphoned off elsewhere.

There is evidence of a gradual decline in our park's physical appearance, while the problem of crime in our park appears never to have been taken seriously enough.

2018: meeting on park safety in the lakeside cafe. MP and others listening to Police (out of shot)

The sparkling top-tip from the council cabinet member for culture-and-leisure, is that anyone witnessing "anti-social behaviour" should call 101.

But how sincere is this advice?

How many residents are likely to witness an orgy in the park at 1AM, let alone to be willing to call the police to say they are? Or, watching the drug-dealing in broad daylight that has gone on for years largely with impunity?

The suggestion of calling 101 hints that crime—especially drug-dealing in the park— comprises isolated incidents, rather than a chronic problem for years that happens daily.

Does the council leadership genuinely care about local issues affecting residents, or is too much attention focused on their Borough of Culture 2027 and on opportunities for seats in Parliament?

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Press:

Council urged to stop ‘orgies’ at Finsbury Park (HCP)

Residents call for Finsbury Park to close at night over sex and dru... (Standard)

‘Lock up the park to stop sex in shrubs’ (Tribune)

Finsbury Park 'ripped apart' by cruisers and drug users (H&H)

Finsbury Park Group urges Haringey Council to lock gates (Olay Gazette, English)

Finsbury Park Grubu, Haringey Belediyesi’nden zararları durdurmak i... (Olay Gazete, Turkish)

Fury in major UK city as popular park 'like Wild West' with orgies ... (Express)

Finsbury Park: “A holiday destination for drug dealers” (Islington Now)