A CALL for signs to be erected in Tavistock Meadows, urging people to phone 999 if they witness vandalism, will not be displayed in the park ? because of fears that they will be vandalised.
The decision last week was dubbed ?the logic of Monty Python? by one town councillor.
But the police and other councillors feared erecting signs would backfire because they would give the impression that crime was prevalent in the Meadows.
But Cllr Ted Sherrell, who made the Monty Python comparison, said: ?Vandalism cost this council thousands of pounds over the years.
?If someone is walking through the Meadows and sees someone smashing a seat with a sledgehammer they should use their mobile phone and call 999.
?It doesn?t give the impression that crime is prevalent, but it does give the police the chance to catch someone. Signs with 999 should be put into the Meadows. ?
Cllr Sherrell was backed up by Cllr Mandy Govier, who said people?s perception of crimes would be heightened with signs.
She felt there should be more of a police presence in the Meadows to act as a deterrent to vandals.
But Cllr Peter Jones said if signs were put up it would give people the feeling that the park was worse than it was.
He said: ?Given the way crime is reported we believe it is out there a lot more than it really is. It concerns me that people will be worried about walking through the park alone.?
He said vandalism was a problem and should not be allowed. But, he said: ?If you phoned the police about someone smashing a bench it would be down the list. I have looked through the history of the park and there has been vandalism and there always will be vandalism.?
Town mayor Jenny Metcalf said she had asked for a rough estimate on the cost of vandalism.
Cllr Brian Trew told the meeting that any signs could be counter-productive as they would be seen as a symbol of authority.
It was agreed that signs might be the first target for vandalism and it was felt they might also be counter-productive.