Call for CCTV cameras at New Farm Park after boy approached by strangers

Parents have called for CCTV cameras at a popular Brisbane park after a mum thought her son was about to be abducted, with police now investigating the incident as “suspicious”.

Parents have called for CCTV cameras at a popular Brisbane park after a local mum thought her son was about to be abducted.

Carolyn Holland said her young son was riding his bike in New Farm Park last month with his friends when he was left alone and approached by two men in a vehicle.

The boy was approached while on his bike at New Farm Park. Picture: Richard Walker

“He said the men came out of nowhere and he did all the right things. He remembered the Daniel Morcombe three R’s, which was really important for us, he recognized how his body felt - he was really scared,” Ms Holland said.

“He reacted by lying and saying, I can see my mom and dad, my sister’s going to be here any second, telling them I don’t need help.”

Police are investigating the incident New Farm Park as “suspicious”. Picture: Brendan Radke

After listening to her son describe the terrifying incident, it led Ms Holland to contacting police.

“It was a very busy day - lots of people - but it was just in a dark little spot where people couldn’t see, but I believe these people could see my children and knew when to emerge and when to go back into hiding,” she said.

Police said they were investigating the incident as “suspicious” and were appealing to anyone with further information to contact them.

After notifying police, Ms Holland said she was shocked to find out there was no CCTV cameras in the park, leading her to start a petition to campaign for the implementation of cameras.

The petition has close to 600 signatures.

“The reality is if he was taken, which would have happened quickly, there would be no evidence and that van would be gone,” she said.

Despite being labelled one of the most popular parks in Brisbane, New Farm Park was not announced in Brisbane City Council’s list of 26 mobile and fixed CCTV camerasto be installed across the city to tackle suburban crime.

“Around 18,000 people come and go from there ... my argument is, let’s not wait for something terrible to happen.

“We know when there’s more people, there’s more human interaction and we know when there’s more human interaction, there’s inevitably going to be more incidences of antisocial behaviour and criminal elements,” Ms Holland said.

New Farm Park is very popular amongst families and tourists. Picture: Jerad Williams

“So I just think with New Farm, especially because it’s such a sensitive group of people using the park locally with children and mums, let’s not be reactive, let’s be proactive and get ahead of it before it becomes an issue.”

Brisbane City Council said there were 15 CCTV cameras around the New Farm Library, and 10 at the suburb’s CityCat terminal.

In a statement, the civic cabinet chair for city governance Cr Fiona Cunningham said the council was doing everything it could to make the city’s suburbs safe, including the investment of mobile CitySafe cameras.

“Brisbane has incredible public parks and the best lifestyle in Australia and we are determined to keep it that way,” said.

“Unfortunately crime, especially youth crime, is a growing problem. While crime is a state issue we’re doing what we can to make our suburbs safer and ensure crime is taken seriously,” Cr Cunningham said.

However, Ms Holland said Council’s response to the family was dismissive, telling them there was no need for the cameras in the park at this time.

The Daniel Morcombe Foundation has been educating children on safety for two decades. Picture: Patrick Woods

Leading child safety campaigner Bruce Morcombe said it should be a requirement that parks across the state have adequate lighting and CCTV cameras in key areas such as children's playground.

“There are always learnings, and fortunately we’re not learning from a tragedy,” Mr Morcombe said.

“It (this instance) definitely tells us that the Daniel Morcombe foundation is making a difference, and without any shadow of doubt, we need to see reasonable and adequate lighting and reasonable and adequate CCTV cameras rolled out in more of our community hubs such as local parks that are well used by family groups.”

Mr Morcombe said it was vital this situation was not “dismissed” and there was a proactive reaction by the community and council alike.

This week is National Child Protection Week, with Friday being Bravehearts Day - the country’s largest and longest-running annual campaign dedicated to the prevention and awareness of child sexual abuse.

Queensland LNP Leader David Crisafulli this week outlined his multimillion-dollar plan to overhaul Queensland’s child protection system but the state government slammed the Opposition for rubbery figures.