A walk in the park’s supposed to be as easy and relaxing as it gets – but not for residents near Barnfield Recreation ground, who say anti-social bikers have been using dogs and walkers like obstacles on a race track.

People living near Barnfield Recreation Ground in Chatham have been calling on police and Medway Council to take action to stop motorbikes accessing the park, since the beginning of the year, but say no effective measures have been taken.

With incidents of anti-social behaviour having increased over the summer, Twitter user @BarnfieldBikes says law-abiding park users are now reaching the end of their tether, with the bikers racing at 50mph around the park and giving abuse to anyone in their way.

Reports of anti-social riders were made to police throughout August and last week, with bikes causing significant damage caused to council football pitches last Friday, September 1.

Two days later a teenager on a red and white bike was reported to have almost hit a dog on the park, before shouting abuse at the owner, and again causing damage to football pitches.

Other residents also reported close calls – with one stating a biker had raced straight at him and his wife before swerving and covering them in dirt and stones.

“Residents are at their wits end with the lack of action,” they said. “Over the last week we've had 5-6 different bikes a day on the field, including some who are regular offenders. When you speak to the police they tell you it's classified as low priority.

“Myself and other residents continue to report but the lack of police presence or action means that riders are using this field as a destination of choice to commit their antisocial behaviour. We’ve been promised a PSPO - it hasn't materialised. We were told that CCTV would be installed at the top end of the field - it hasn't materialised.”

They said poor perimeter fencing had led to repeat incursions on the field by travellers and off-road riders, but that the issue hadn't been addressed, meaning the field remained a target.

“The Council are corporately negligent in their lack of action,” they added. “The police don't respond. Residents feel extremely let down. The Council need to take action for the criminal and antisocial behaviour occurring on their land.

“This week, a teen on a bike was using adults and children on the field as bollards to weave around- it was disgraceful. A dog nearly got hit and the bike had to swerve. These bikes ride at speeds in excess of 50mph. Not only are they a danger to the children and other users of the field, but the bikes also cause criminal damage to the field by tearing up the grass and creating huge gouges in the grass which the council then need to repair. It's totally wrong.

“The Police and Crime Commissioner and Tracey Crouch have been aware but even they have been unable to get the council or police to tackle the problem once and for all. It is unjust that residents have to suffer.”

Kent Police said they were called at 5.21pm on Friday September 1 following a report that two off-road bikes were causing a nuisance at the Barnfield Recreation Ground in Chatham.

Inspector Mick Hayes from the Medway Community Safety Unit said: “We are aware of residents’ concerns around anti-social behaviour in the area and have been regularly carrying out proactive operations where concerns have been raised.

“Every single call to Kent Police is important and call handlers are trained to prioritise calls where there is greater risk of threat or harm. Our aim is to get to those priority calls as quickly and safely as possible to protect the public, to reduce and prevent crime and to bring offenders to justice.

“In order to provide the best possible policing service each reported incident or crime is assessed to determine if initial attendance by a police officer is required, for example, if this will lead to further evidence or where victims are particularly vulnerable.

“On this occasion, officers were tasked to attend but due to a high volume of other calls in the area, with a greater risk of threat or harm, officers were deployed elsewhere.

“We will continue to work with the owners of the land, Medway Council, to tackle the anti-social behaviour and would encourage anyone with concerns to report them via our website or call 101.”

Medway Council has been approached for further comment.