Women concerned about safety in the Thornton Heath Recreation Ground have been working on a community led initiative/campaign. The issue is the height of a hedge around a bowling green/club, which girls/women have identified as making them feel unsafe, as they cannot see over it or be seen by others.

In 2017 local people prepared a petition, signed by over 170 residents asking for height of hedge to be cut and maintained at 3ft in this crime hotspot, to date without success. Following the petition, school students from Norbury Manor for girls took part in a photography project, supported by Lenses of Croydon, showing the park through their eyes. The girls explored how the hedge and dark alleys in the park make them feel. Their photography and narratives have been turned into an exhibition and showcased as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week. Exploring 'Misogyny as a Hate Crime' students interviewed Camillia Kong, a local resident, community gardener and fundraiser for the park who spearheaded The Hedge Campaign. Students questioned why women and girls are still unheard on important issues such as their safety and sense of safety in public spaces.

This project demonstrates how the community can lead on identifying solutions inviting agencies responsible for our safety to work alongside communities to understand and respond to local issues.  We continue to invite agencies to support this initiative and are grateful to the Regeneration Team at the Council, the Police and the Designing out Crime Team for their positive contributions during a Walk About in November 2018. For further information, contact CVA's Hate Crime ABCD Community Builder Priya Loomba, priya.loomba@cvalive.org.uk.