Neighbours living near a city centre park are sick of anti-social behaviour after a tree was ripped out of the ground for a THIRD time.  

Gildencroft Park, near St Augustine’s Church, is filled with children on the playpark and dog walkers on the field during the day but at night many people report it is full of anti-social behaviour, drugs and alcohol.  

Gary Champion, Green councillor for the Sewell ward, said: “Residents have a right to enjoy and feel safe in our parks and green spaces.

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"As a city, we need to value and maintain these areas, not only for the well-being of residents but also that of our birds and wildlife. 

Norwich Evening News: Gary Champion encourages people to report this behaviour Gary Champion encourages people to report this behaviour (Image: Gary Champion)

“In my role in the shadow cabinet scrutinising the [city] council’s maintenance of parks, I’m aware of how this kind of thoughtless vandalism impacts upon our natural environment.” 

A woman, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “I saw some young people kicking a young tree as hard as they could to knock it over in the park.

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“The tree was replaced but it’s happened again – they do these things to be intimidating and it is unfair.” 

Norwich Evening News: People report seeing people using drugs and alcohol in the park People report seeing people using drugs and alcohol in the park (Image: Alanna Baker)

A spokesman for St Augustine’s Community Together Residents Association said: “We have spoken to the police who say they will give Gildencroft Park extra attention in patrols over the coming weeks.  

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“We do not have any intelligence as to who may be responsible for the vandalism of the trees in the park, but we have had reports of rough drinking there recently.” 

The group has encouraged people living in the area to report anti-social acts to the police with as much information as possible.  

Norwich Evening News: People living in the area say this is the third time the tree has been replaced People living in the area say this is the third time the tree has been replaced (Image: Alanna Baker)

The next Norwich East Safer Neighbourhood Action Panel (Snap) priority-setting meeting will be at St Augustine’s Hall at 6pm on Wednesday, December 13, with community leaders encouraging people to attend to highlight their concerns.