Patrols are stepped up at park

Last Thursday, police were called to the park by Malvern Theatres staff.

A large group of youths on bikes were refusing to move from the back steps of the building. But by the time police arrived, most of the youngsters had disappeared.

Sarah-Jane Browning, theatres general manager, said customers felt intimidated.

"A lot of people think controlling the park is our responsibility but it's not our property, although we do what we can," she said.

The next day, Malvern resident Josephine Bowen was verbally abused when she confronted youths she says were pulling up plants and tormenting ducks.

She said: "I find it staggering that only two days into then holidays, these young thugs are already behaving in such a manner and that there appears to be nobody around to stop them.

"Surely it is possible for extra funding to be found so that Priory Park can have a park keeper or someone similar for the summer."

At the newly-refurbished Splash, which has been open for less than two weeks, a one-foot-high graffiti tag was left in a changing cubicle on Monday.

Coun Clive Smith, Malvern Hills councillor with portfolio for community well being, said: "MHDC and police presence has increased throughout the park during the summer holidays."

He said security patrols by a private firm were taking place in the park on Friday and Saturday nights.

Community safety officer Mark McKay said he patrolled the park for a week at the end of May with PC Paul Lambon and planned to do so again in the near future.

"We reduced incidents of anti- social behaviour because we were able to engage with kids there," he said.

Mr McKay said the public should keep the council informed about the problem.

"Unless we are aware of diffi-culties, we can't react," he said.

Sgt Robert Werner de Sondberg of Malvern police said: "We urge the public to report any incidents of disorder or nuisance and we will do our utmost to respond and deal with the matters as appropriate."