A city centre park blighted by crime is to be locked overnight at weekends as part of a new trial to stamp out yobbish behaviour.

Five main gates leading to the Dane John Gardens in Canterbury will be closed between 10pm and 4am on Friday and Saturday nights for the next eight months.

The beauty spot has long been a magnet for crime, with almost 100 incidents including assaults, robberies and sex attacks recorded in 2020 and 2021.

Residents and community groups have called for action to tackle the lawlessness, including increased patrols, CCTV and better lighting.

Today, police in Canterbury tweeted to say a weapon had been seized after officers used a 'knife bar' detection technology in the park.

Now, teams from Right Guard Security have been tasked with locking the gates to deter troublemakers.

The £4,200 project is being paid for by Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott as part of his Safer Streets Fund.

A previous gate-locking trial, which launched in July 2019, had to be abandoned when Covid hit.

City council leader Cllr Ben Fitter-Harding says making the park a no-go zone at night will help tackle anti-social behaviour.

“The Dane John Gardens is a beautiful asset in our city, but one that sometimes experiences criminal activity that we and Kent Police are determined to stamp out,” he said.

“Over the coming months we’re investing £380,000 that we have together secured from the Safer Streets 2 funding scheme for more CCTV cameras, along with better lighting and other community improvements such as a children’s play area funded from developer contributions.

“This further step, with the support and assistance of our Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, will help us ensure that, late at night, our residents use more appropriate routes to traverse the park, such as the walkway on top of the city walls.

“I am very grateful for Matthew’s contribution to making the park a safer place, and am excited about the future improvements we hope to make here through our Canterbury Tales of England Levelling Up Fund bid.”

The trial will run until December 17, with residents invited to give feedback to inform a decision by councillors on whether to make it permanent.

Views can be emailed to transportation@canterbury.gov.uk.