A young couple claim youths threatened to put them in a “body bag” during an attack at a city centre park.

Simon Richards says he and his partner were verbally and physically assaulted by a group of teenagers while walking through Dane John Gardens in Canterbury.

Police were called to the scene on Monday at 5pm and now say they are investigating the alleged assault.

Mr Richards, 23, told KentOnline he was hit in the face and almost had his nose broken during the incident.

He said: “My partner was threatened to have her face smashed in and put in a body bag.”

“I had the glasses knocked off my face and it almost broke my nose.

“We were made to feel weak, powerless and defenceless.”

Dane John Gardens has become notorious for violent crime.

The gardens once held a Green Flag Award - but in recent times have been blighted by such incidents and anti-social behaviour.

A KentOnline investigation revealed almost 100 crimes were reported in the gardens between 2020 and 2021, including 12 sexual assaults.

In 2022, police investigated five sexual offences, three cases of arson and criminal damage and 36 other incidents in the park.

Mr Richards, who lives in Broadstairs, says he is now scared to walk through the area.

He added: “I am almost fully deaf so I could not hear what was being said.

“We are scared to walk through the Dane John and anywhere near town.

“This isn't the first attack in the gardens so I think it needs to be kept an eye on.”

A police spokesperson said: “Police was called at 5pm on Monday, May 6 to a report of an earlier incident in Dane John Gardens, Canterbury in which a man and woman had been assaulted.

“An investigation is ongoing and anyone with information that could assist officers with their enquiries is urged to contact Kent Police quoting reference 46/74614/24.”