WORRIED residents are taking action after assaults and crimes were reported in a Hampshire wooded area.

People living near the Gillies in Fareham have launched a campaign via an online petition for CCTV to be implemented at the site.

But councillor Sean Woodward told the Daily Echo that the petition may not have the intended effect, and said police patrols were being stepped up in the area.

The petition states: “This is a park and should be filled with children playing during the summer holidays and I for one

will not let my children play there.

“I do not even let them cycle back from our allotment without me, any time of day. There needs to be CCTV in the Gillies.

“This would not be an intrusion on our right to privacy. The intrusion on our rights is caused by those that stop us using this public space through fear.”

Councillor Sean Woodward told the Daily Echo that he understood why local residents want CCTV at The Gillies, but he said: “It won’t necessarily deter crime.”

He said: “CCTV would be difficult to implement in the woodlands – also it does not mean that crime will stop, even if people know that there is CCTV there.”

He told the Echo that daily patrols were now taking place at the site to ensure residents safety.

Cllr Woodward said: “Police and community safety

officers have started patrolling the area in the past month to help reduce crime at the Gillies. Under Fareham Street Aid, we will also be making efforts to help any homeless people unlawfully dwelling at the site.”

The petition currently has more than 500 signatures.