MP Sarah Olney has condemned the lack of police in the Royal Parks after it emerged a team of just two officers is responsible for both Richmond Park and Bushy Park.

At the same time the Richmond Park MP said that, too often, police officers from the area are being taken away to deal with protests in other parts of the capital.

The MP has spoken out following a series of violent bike-jackings in and around Richmond Park, which has seen gangs armed with machetes attacking and stealing expensive bicycles.

She has written to London's Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime, Sophie Linden, highlighting the fears of residents, saying some are so alarmed that they have given up cycling in Richmond Park and the surrounding area.

She said: "We have a duty of care to make sure residents feel safe, but given recent events and the relatively low levels of police resources, I fear we're failing to provide such assurances."

The letter said that alongside the violence, residents are suffering an epidemic of bike thefts with the criminals 'rarely, if ever, being caught'.

She said: "This, my constituents fear, is only encouraging would-be-thieves and has led a number of local residents to stop exercising at night.

The MP criticised minimal police presence in the parks, adding: "This seems like a very modest provision of resources.

"In light of recent events I would urge those responsible for policing the Park to think far more expansively about what kind of measures can be put in place to ensure that visitors can be confident of having a safe and enjoyable stay in the Park."