Memorial Park Bench Removed From Chiswick Common

Taken away following recent anti-social behaviour by gangs of young people

Hounslow Council have removed the memorial bench to a teenager on Chiswick Back Common. The park bench had been a gathering place for teenagers and anti-social behaviour and there had been some calls for it to be removed or relocated.

However, the behaviour had stopped in recent weeks and some local people reported surprise that it had now been removed this week.

We have asked Hounslow Council for information.

The circular bench under a tree, which was installed in memory of a girl who attended Chiswick School and died after taking ecstasy at a party, had become a gathering point for teenagers who congregated on the Common after school. There were outbreaks of disruptive and intimidating behaviour leading to several arrests.

The family of the late Isobel Jones Reilly had been approached about the possibility of the bench being removed or relocated but it is understood that they were not initially supportive of the idea. Isobel, known as Issy and who lived in Acton, died aged 15 in 2011 after taking ecstasy at a party and the memorial bench was erected in her memory.

Some local residents, believed if the bench were removed it would discourage the teenagers from congregating in that particular spot while others felt it would only lead to them gathering elsewhere on the Common. The Home Secretary Amber Rudd had visited the scene during the election campaign.

The police had put patrols in place every evening after school while the problem persisted. It was also declared a Dispersal Zone for a short time which allowed police to order people to leave or they could take action.

Police made eight arrests following the recent incidents of public disorder. The most serious incident saw groups of teenagers running amok along the High Road and into Devonshire Road.

June 29, 2017