A toilet block in a town centre park notorious for crime, drug taking and anti-social behaviour is set to become a new base for police officers.

The council is planning to convert the disused building in Brenchley Gardens in Maidstone into a security and community centre.

The park has a bad reputation across Maidstone as being one of the areas to avoid. East ward councillor David Naghi (Lib Dem) has described the park as "lawless" saying it was "out of control" and with "no police presence at all".

Plans are being discussed by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC), the police and other authorities to convert the park's derelict public toilets into an area used by officers and youth workers.

When KentOnline visited the park to discuss the plans with visitors, one couple didn't even know there were a set of toilets there and questioned how they could be turned into a crime prevention and community hub.

But others welcomed the idea.

Michelle Sinclair and Charlotte Diggory were walking through the park after a work out session at the gym.

Michelle said: "I think it's a really good idea because there has been a lot of trouble up this end of town for the last few years.

"People don't really feel safe coming up this end of town especially in Brenchley Gardens and coming off the train.

"At least people would know where to go if they have problems – it's a hub I suppose."

Both talked about the reputation the park has.

Michelle said: "In the day time it seems to be ok but at night I definitely wouldn't come this way."

They also said they never really feel a police presence in town but hopes the new proposal will change that.

Michelle said: "I know of issues, people have been stabbed, there's been muggings and a lot of bad press about this area.

"There is apparently a lot of drug taking in this area at night so getting a hub there would be terrific.

"It'll be somewhere where people can actually go to I think we need that in Maidstone."

A spokesman for MBC said a planning application is being prepared and could be submitted in early 2023 and further discussions about exactly how the centre would be used and the facilities included there are ongoing.

The spokesman said: "This is part of work being carried out to change the reputation of the park which will complement the recent introduction of gating and series of events and activities which took place during the summer.

"The proposed re-purposing of the building, will provide a visible presence and potential safe haven as it will be used by town centre based police officers, youth workers and other professionals.

"Ultimately MBC wants to increase the guardianship in the park which remains popular with young people, but also with families and workers in the town.

"The council is aiming to recreate some of the work already undertaken to enhance old police boxes and similar facilities in London and other areas of the UK.

"Details of how and when this building is to be used is yet to be finalised and the works will be subject to planning permission that will sought in 2023."

Park visitor Stephanie Taylor said: "In the day the park is fine it's more at night time there is an issue here.

"I wouldn't really feel safe at night walking through on my own. You hear things of people being drunk and drugs anti-social behaviour things like that.

"I would welcome that idea and would feel safer knowing there are police there. It would just be somewhere safe nearby knowing you could go to it."

Fellow park user Sam, 20, has lived in Maidstone his whole life.

He said: "The park has had a bad reputation before. I've always been told not to hang around here after dark but it looks nice during the day.

"You just hear of bad people like druggies hanging around here.

"I think its is a good idea I don't know where the nearest station is at the moment so hopefully it'll keep the bad people out."

KentOnline reporter Temi Adedeji spent a night in the town's crime hotspots which included visiting the gated garden.

There he met a group of teens hanging out in the dark. One girl said: “It’s basically for crackheads,” while a boy said: “You don’t want to be here at night mate.”

Another of the group said: “You’ll find every drug in here, most of them are down where the bushes are, where there’s no cameras.

"You can just go to the bottom and do whatever you want.”

In June self-proclaimed preacher, Hamdi Braiek, was jailed for eight years and three months after attacking shop owner Mukhtar Hussain in the park by stamping on his head and leaving him brain damaged.