Security

A number of security staff cover the building around the clock, looking after the library, the Mayor's parlour, the exhibition centre, Central Park, the car park and King Square. They'll do their job by walking around the building and grounds but also by monitoring the sites from a number of cameras inside and outside the building.

There were early stories and rumours about the park being damaged by young people. The security staff tell us that this has been much exaggerated. There was some minor graffiti on the youth shelter after the building opened but this was cleaned off the next day. The nets were also ripped off the basketball posts but this was entirely accidental. It seems obvious to everyone on site that the kids are delighted at having a new park and are behaving well.

The original plan was to close the park at 6pm but so many young people were in the floodlit area at 6 that it seemed unreasonable to turf them out. The times have therefore been changed in response to requests and the park now closes at 8pm when most have already left for home anyway.