Despite some positive developments with a reduction in the level of vandalism and an almost complete end to drug usage, which affects so many public spaces around the country, the Arboretum is still the subject of small but insidious acts of vandalism.

The continuing influx of people from outside the area has resulted in an increase in the abuse against our national treasures.  The culprits can be identified from the content of the new graffiti that blights the restored buildings. The Council would appear to have little control over the more recent acts of vandalism, the very act of removing the felt pen graffiti is causing damage to the newly restored buildings. 

The Arboretum, unlike most other parks, is now covered by CCTV and a number of arrests connected with recent events have now taken place,  we would like to see the severest punishment available dealt to the culprits. So far the new playground has been affected by only a small amount of vandalism,  which has angered all local people, families and their children. Park Manager, Karin Aberg says that she will never give in to the vandals, a sentiment that has the full support of all decent members of the local community and beyond.

Most of the current problems are related to antisocial behaviour, which is basically the result of a severe lack of discipline for a minority group of young people who have no self respect let alone respect for others or our culture or heritage.  These are of course the very things that Joseph Strutt hoped to expunge from society by giving the people something to take pride in.

Alderman Henry Mozley commented on the possibility of vandalism in his response to Joseph Strutt's Address on Sept. 16 1840:

The property is theirs, absolutely theirs, and let every man feel and act that an act of injury done to this property, was an injury and affront to himself, let each be the protector of that in which all have an interest.

This statement is as true today as the day the words were first spoken.

The following reports show that crime and vandalism is not new to the Arboretum or the rest of Derby's parks:

Derby Mercury 1882

An Editorial  (November 8th 1882) on the Free Entry to The Arboretum at all times stated: "We only hope that the Corporation will take effective measures to prevent the grounds once so beautiful, from being destroyed, and that what was intended by the donor for the instruction of the public may not be turned into a bear garden from which all decent working people will be driven". 

Derbyshire Advertiser, June 12th 1890:

Commenting on the opening of the Arboretum fifty years earlier: "Notwithstanding the immense number of persons of all classes which the low price of admission on the second day and the free admittance on the third, enabled to be there, not an oath nor a word to offend the most moral person could be heard". The writer then goes on to say: "Alas! I fear me, the community has since degenerated in this respect, as is testified by the recent records of the police court.  Misbehaviours are frequent and remonstrated your part, O public are frequently met with polite invitations from some ruffian to go and be blanked, or a retort asking what the future condition of misery you have to do with them."

Derbyshire Advertiser June 12th 1890, COURTESY OF Derby Local Studies Library.

Derby Evening Telegraph, 

June 1942, 

The Derby Mercury Editorial and the Advertiser articles show us that crime is a problem that is not confined to the twentieth/twenty first century, they also had problems in "The Good Old Days".

Early in the 1970s vandals attacked the aviaries and broke the legs of all the birds on display, this has to be the most appalling vandal attack to date! 

Vandalism has increased throughout the country over the years,  one of the worst acts of vandalism at the Arboretum, in recent years, was the arson attack on the Charles Aslin designed Band Stand in 1995. 

Other attacks on The Arboretum have included the removal of the stone base that once supported the Florentine Boar and  Reverend Joseph Hutton's Memorial Fountain, which was destroyed by vandals in 2000.

Vandalism seems to be more prevalent in the 21st century,  when people have no self respect they tend to have no respect for others and the things that give pleasure or are considered precious.

Let us hope that the Arboretum will rise above this situation and in some way, hopefully,  help to give self respect to those who have lost it.

Let us hope these measures are effective.

Cameras have now been installed close to the fountain, if the cameras are any good, this sort of behaviour will be brought to a halt!

The fountain has recently been completely refurbished, as can be seen on the Structures and Ornamentation pages of this website.

Below: The security cameras themselves have now become a target for the vandals! Thankfully repairs to this recent damage were carried out very quickly.

Even though the  cameras are on line there is still vandalism, including fireworks and wrecking equipment, a lack of  regular police patrols does nothing to rectify these problems, but this is a national problem and the responsibility of Central Government.

Despite all these problems, the Arboretum is beginning to enjoy some of the security promised at the start of the refurbishment project. 

It is  still not advisable for  anyone to walk through the Arboretum alone after dark!

TREE VANDALISM

This tree was specially cultivated for the Arboretum at a cost of 400. Some selfish moron has taken this to use as a Christmas Tree, which are available from the market at 3.75. each 

After the opening ceremony had taken place on Wednesday September 16th 1840, not a single tree or shrub has been destroyed. When Mr. Loudon heard of this almost miraculous instance, he said that he had never had the pleasure of meeting such a community of people worthy of such a gift. .

That was then, NOW here we are about to celebrate the restoration of the gift that Strutt gave to us all those years ago and some moron does this to one of our newly planted trees! Are we still worthy of such a gift?