From Tuesday this week, police community support officers and special constables have been patrolling Daventry Country Park and around Wimborne Place, Ashby Fields, and will carry on until the end of the school holidays on September 2.

The operation, run by the Daventry North Safer Community Team (SCT), will see officers removing alcohol from anyone under the age of 18 and parents will be informed of their children’s bad behaviour.

Officers will also work with park rangers and nearby businesses to clamp down on the problem.

The Country Park has been hit by regular vandalism in recent years and large gangs of underage youths frequently gather there, some of whom have been drinking.

The police operation has been welcomed but some believe more can be done.

Samantha Webb, chairman of the Friends of the Country Park, said: “The police operation is a good idea but the surveillance needs to be all of the year around and not just during the six week holiday.

“This problem will almost certainly be at its worst during this period.

“Daventry Country Park is out of the way and kids can go there and do what they like. These problems have been going on for years and it’s demoralising for the people working there.”

Sergeant Tania Ash from the SCT said: “Over the last two months we have had an increase in reports of large numbers of young people gathering in these locations drinking alcohol, being abusive, intimidating other members of the community and causing damage.

“The operation plans to make the area a safer place for both adults and young people to enjoy.

“I would like to ask for parents’ co-operation over the summer holidays, their assistance in finding more suitable activities for their children is vital to the success of this initiative.”

The move has been welcomed by Daventry District Council which runs Daventry County Park.

Simon Bovey, managing director at Daventry District Council, said: “We welcome the police dedicating resources to the area over the school holidays in a bid to head off the potential for any rise in antisocial behaviour.

“Daventry Country Park is a popular destination for families, particularly in the summer months, and we hope that this police operation ensures the experience is not spoiled.

“It’s a fantastic park, so let’s all enjoy it.”