POLICE in Thornbury are making contingency plans in an attempt to prevent late night drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour at the Mundy Playing Fields.

Last summer police were inundated with reports of nuisance behaviour at Thornbury's popular park.

During last year’s summer nights the playing fields became the scene of drunken youths, litter, late night noise, smashed glass, urinating and defecating and criminal damage.

Local people living near to the playing fields declared it a no go area after dark and residents of The Close, which is the main access to the park, said they felt abused and victimised in their own homes.

However, Sgt Craig Ogborne, of Thornbury Police Station, has said officers and representatives from South Gloucestershire Council’s anti-social behaviour team are already making plans for this summer about tackling the problem.

He said: "We held a street briefing and there was a general discussion about alcohol related anti-social behaviour in the playing fields and the range of options we have for dealing with it during the approaching summer months.

"Late night activities at the Mundy Playing Fields caused a lot of distress to residents and local people last summer and we are keen to discourage a repeat of what went on."

Sgt Ogborne said he was unable to reveal what options the police were considering using.

Last summer Thornbury Town Council, which owns the playing fields, did consider installing CCTV to discourage the nuisance behaviour, but this idea was thrown out because of issues with lighting.

Residents of The Close also suggested a lockable gate, which would prevent access to the park after dark.

Despite receiving the support of local police Thornbury Town Council refused to consider the option because councillors said they did not want to block a public footpath and prevent people walking their dogs at the park.