Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was called out a blaze in Derby Park
Fire in Derby Park, Bootle(Image: Handout)
People say they have become fearful and ‘intimidated’ after a spate of anti-social behaviour incidents at a much-loved Grade II listed park in Bootle. Those fears were expressed after a blaze earlier this week, when parts of the park’s bushes and foliage caught fire, prompting a call-out from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS).
Derby Park opened in 1895 – just five years after Bootle became a county borough. The park was named after Lord Derby, who had offered the site as a gift.
During World War II the entrance gates and boundary railings were removed, and the park was damaged by enemy action. In the early 1950s restoration work was carried out, with further major renovation works in 1984.
Aside from the fascinating history, it is the many winding paths, activity areas, and matured green spaces that make this park so popular for local people.
However, in recent years, there have been several reports of anti-social behaviour, including fly-tipping, assaults, and now a fire. The latest incident happened on Tuesday night (August 19) and involved the destruction of an area of bushes and foliage.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said: “MFRS attended an incident on Derby Park, Worcester Road, Bootle, on the evening of Tuesday, August 19.
“Crews were alerted at 8.30pm and were on scene at 8.35pm with one fire engine attending.
“On arrival this was a fire involving one tree and surrounding bushes. Crews used one hose reel jet to extinguish the fire and left the scene at 8.44pm.”
They did not speculate as to the cause of the fire, but it is clear who the local community believes was responsible.
The fire was reported on Tuesday, August 19, and an update was posted to the Derby Park Community Facebook page. The post sought to raise awareness about the incident, but it also prompted comments about other incidents in the park and problems with anti-social behaviour.
Fire in Derby Park, Bootle(Image: Handout)
Julie Peters responded to that post, writing: “I just don’t understand the mentality of kids. Why are they hell-bent on destroying their surroundings? All the hard work that has gone into Derby Park, it makes me so sad.”
The Liverpool ECHO visited the site in Derby Park and could see the bushes completely destroyed by the fire. A call for comment on a local Facebook page resulted in several responses highlighting the importance of the park to the community and addressed ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour.
Joan Ford commented: “It can be quite intimidating to walk through near the bandstand late afternoon and early evening. Gangs on bikes hang around there, smoking and swearing. Local police could do a walk-through around that time.”
Elaine Canavan added: “[Derby Park] still offers so much green space and nature to our polluted urbanised jungle; I love it!
“However, a small group of youths do seem hellbent on destroying as much ‘structure’ as possible.” Adding: “Sadly the park has no security, and the rusty gates aren’t much of a deterrent, so the park has become the only place for them to let off steam.
“Without some sort of ‘deterrent,’ this is only going to get worse, as they blatantly ignore any passer-by, knowing when police arrive with blue lights they can easily scarper before they can be caught.”
These sentiments were shared by Tony O’Toole, who also suggested there be more stringent use of the gate security; he wrote, “It’s the minority of idiots who cause the vandalism and damage in the park.
“A 500-name petition was signed to keep them locked because a lot of residents complained about the noise going on into the early hours. Fires and vandalism always seem to happen through the summer holidays.
“Police need to do patrols […] to show a presence to the youths who gather around the bandstand in the evening; it would help.”