PARENTS have called for a crackdown on yobs congregating in Maldon’s Promenade Park.

Father David Marsh, 48, has called for action to be taken over increasing numbers of gangs in the park, who he claims are causing problems every weekend.

Mr Marsh and his wife Larine, of Fitches Crescent, claim they fear for their foster daughter’s and other children’s safety with increasing numbers gathering to get drunk and abuse substances.

David said: “It’s been getting a lot more worrying over the past four to five weeks, more and more of them are down there every weekend.

“They hang around in areas near the children’s play park, where families often go. A big group of young, drunk people can be quite menacing to families and children.

"They always leave it the park in an absolute state after they go.

“There have been occasions where I’ve had to march over there to drag my 14-year-old foster daughter away from them. I’ve seen spirit bottles handed around and the smell of cannabis hanging in the air like a fog. Older boys going to the shops to resupply, so the underage debauchery can continue.”

Mr Marsh added: “If you were to talk to some of the families in surrounding roads they will all tell you the same thing. Some don’t even realise that their children are part of the gangs.

“I’ve talked to police and the council who both don’t want to know.

Whilst I can appreciate numbers and surveillance are stretched, we seem to just be playing reactive when bad things happen, but do nothing to prevent them in the first place.

“I plead with the council, with law enforcement, with all concerned parents and finally the community.

Let us not turn our backs on these kids, please engage with then, not just warning posters, or action over one night, but a long term strategy.

“The drugs issue is bad enough in Maldon, let’s try to tackle it in its infancy.”

Richard Holmes, director of customers and community at Maldon District Council, said: “The Council is aware of the groups of young people who have been congregating in the Park.

“Our Community Protection Team have been undertaking additional patrols in the Park and we will be working in partnership with the police to take any further action which may be necessary.”

Essex Police did not respond to a request for comment.