Play sector slams Ukip leader for 'inaccurate and divisive' comments

A letter sent to prospective parliamentary candidates and signed by more than 100 play practitioners, academics and campaigners, says there is no evidence to suggest immigration is a significant factor in the decline of street play.

"On the contrary, children playing outside bring people together and engender strong, cohesive communities," it adds.

The open letter was issued in response to what campaigners claim are "inaccurate and divisive" comments made by the Ukip leader in a Daily Telegraph article, which quotes him as saying: “Britons [are] so ill at ease with immigrants their children cannot play in the streets.”

Among the play professionals that have signed the letter are independent playwork trainer and researcher Ali Wood, play expert Adrian Voce, and Dr Wendy Russell of the University of Gloucestershire.

Highlighting “evidence of the real barriers to outdoor play”, the letter states that traffic, not immigration, needs to be controlled to “enable and support more children to play outside the way they have for countless generations all over the world”.

It also states parents and their children need to have confidence in the public spaces where they play, with research showing parental anxiety about “stranger danger” is another barrier.

The letter claims that research by Ipsos Mori, NOP and academic institutions has found additional barriers such as bullying, too much rubbish, boring and poorly maintained playgrounds and a lack of trusted adult oversight.

Some ideas put forward in the letter to help tackle barriers to children’s play include road closures, lower speed limits and safer routes, as well as better community policing and funding for playwork and community play projects.

Additionally, long-term planning decisions and spatial development strategies should also consider what it is that children need in a built environment and in the wider public realm.

All prospective parliamentary candidates have been invited to visit estates, streets and villages so they can see “the power of community play” for themselves.

Ukip has been contacted for comment.