POLICE this week insisted they are working to tackle problems with antisocial behaviour at Hounslow's Inwood Park.

Creating 'windows' in the hedges around the park and closing the gates at night are among measures being considered to address growing complaints.

The Chronicle reported last month how residents living opposite the park, in Inwood Road, were growing increasingly concerned about problems with noisy drinkers, fighting and vandalism in the park.

However, Sergeant Alan Murphy, of Hounslow Central Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT), this week told the Chronicle police were working with residents to address the problems.

"The complaints are mainly (about problems) late at night to do with antisocial behaviour. Our shift patterns have adjusted so we can deal with it," he said. We're in consultation with the council and John Laing (the contractor responsible for the borough's parks) about cutting some windows into foliage so we open it up a little bit.

"We're also talking about closing the gates at night but that's one of those debates that will roll on forever because some people think it should be open all the time. We want to listen to the views of the whole community."

Sgt Murphy added that officers enforced the Controlled Drinking Zone (CDZ), which covers the park, and removed alcohol from drinkers when they were causing problems with antisocial behaviour.

The Chronicle has received several letters over the last fortnight from residents complaining about antisocial behaviour in the park.

One resident said there had been a number of problems since the gates were no longer locked, including underage drinking, benches being set on fire and even a 30-man fight resulting in multiple stabbings.

A spokeswoman for John Laing said it had received no formal request from volunteers offering to lock and open the gates. She added that the friends group used to do so but had taken the decision to stop themselves.