A town park could have fencing installed and be shut at night due to its high level of crime.

Brenchley Gardens in Maidstone has become a crime hotspot in recent years, including a stabbing in May.

Borough councillors claimed a similar fence around Mote Park has had success in reducing crime in the area.

The gardens did originally have gates until the Second World War when they were removed.

Cllr David Naghi spoke of his own experience working near the gardens.

He said: "I was working by the gardens during the May Bank Holiday weekend. It was very lawless, out of control, no police presence at all.

"When I went on the Monday, the road was shut off because of an incident in Brenchley Gardens that had happened that night. That ended up being an attempted murder.

"As a result of that I believe that Brenchley Gardens should be shut when it gets dark. We used to have this with Mote Park because of the same reasons.

"We’ve got the Kent PCSOs in there at the minute. But they’ll be gone soon."

Cllr Simon Webb agreed with the suggestion. He said: "My view is we need to take action and we need to take it now.

"As good as the police are, their priorities will not be Brenchley Gardens. The reputation of the park will not improve until we take a stance.

"I would also support putting up some lighting around the gardens, whether they’re permanent or motion detecting we will have to decide."

The costs of putting up fencing, lighting and CCTV will be discussed at the council's communities, housing and environment committee on November 30.

However not all councillors were keen to see the park fenced off or shut.

Cllr Martin Cox said: "I think shutting it off is almost giving in to the negative aspects that are going on in the park.

"I believe Kent Police are on this and I don’t see the practicality of shutting this off.

"If we were to put in fences, people would just leap on to the fence and be on their way. I think we could increase the police presence in the park.

'Rather than do dealings at the park they’ll do it round the back of the pub or round by the prison.'

"People are just going to go to another park or place around Maidstone.

"Rather than do dealings at the park they’ll do it round the back of the pub or round by the prison.

"I really do think we need to consider the very large cost of putting up iron railings.!

Maidstone Borough Council's communities, housing and environment committee met on Tuesday, August 31.

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone