A child might be injured in Chiswick House Gardens because dog walkers sabotaged fencing meant to protect people from building works, according to police.

The gardens are currently undergoing extensive renovations and part of the grounds are temporarily fenced off to restrict public access.

However pet owners, seemingly resentful that parts of the park are now inaccessible, are apparently bringing cutting tools with them to dismantle the fencing.

Inspector Manpreet Bains, of Hounslow Police, said: "There is serious concern that persons and their dogs entering the fenced off area will get injured. The area has been fenced off to protect the public. People who are damaging the fence are committing a criminal offence, they are also putting the lives of other people, especially children, in danger, as they may unwittingly enter a potentially dangerous area through the broken fence."

The latest act of vandalism damaged a section of six panels so badly they needed to be replaced.

Sarah Finch-Crisp, director of Chiswick House and Gardens Trust, said: "January to March 2009 sees the most intensive stage of the restoration of the gardens, hence the closure of parts of the park. The Trust is committed to keeping as much of the park open as is safely possible during the restoration, so that local people can continue visiting and see the works in progress.

"It's such a shame that a small minority of people are impeding the project and endangering themselves and others.

"Regretfully, if further damage and unauthorised entry occurs we may be forced to consider closing the gardens at weekends."

Gill Thomas, of Chiswick House Organised Walkers (CHOW), walks her dogs daily in the Chiswick grounds and knows many of the other walkers.

"We are aware that there's been some damage but surprised that the finger has been pointed at dog walkers," she said. "It is very frustrating with the amount of park that's closed off but the sense is that this should be respected.

"I certainly don't know any body who would do something like this, we continue to work with the project management team, especially with the forthcoming installation of dog bins through-out the grounds."