St Margarets residents have raised the alarm after "threatening" groups of youths invaded their haven of peace.

Police were called to Moormead Park twice this week over allegations of fighting and weapons being used.

Officers reacted to reports of a large group of youths with knives on Monday, leading to a chase and a search of the park for weapons.

And on Wednesday evening (August 12), more than a dozen officers corralled a group of young adults who had congregated around swings and slides in the children's playground.

Several of the individuals were searched but on each occasion the police did not find any knives. "The result of these searches were negative," the force said.

Children's playground takeover

Residents have become alarmed over the groups of young people arriving in recent days and taking over the playground from the early evening.

One said: "It created a very threatening atmosphere and children were effectively prevented from using the playground.

"We hope the fact that the police were very quick to act in large numbers will put a stop to this."

The area is enormously popular with dog walkers, fitness groups, child sports teams and the parents of young children who live in homes overlooking Moormead Park.

Community group Friends of Moormead Park describes it a "haven of peace" on its website.

Police statement

A Metropolitan Police spokesman told Richmond Nub News: "On Monday, August 10, at 8.06pm, police received a report of a large group in Moormead Park armed with knives.

"Police arrived on scene five minutes later and the large group ran from police.

"A number of stop and searches were carried out, but all were negative. No offences apparent, no arrests and the park remained open."

Of the second incident, she said: "On Wednesday, August 12, at approximately 6pm, police received a number of calls to Moormead Park saying that there was a group armed with knives, fighting.

"Police attended and conducted a number of stop and searches. The result of these searches were negative. No offences were identified and no arrests were made.

"St Margarets Safer Neighbourhood team will be increasing patrols in the area."

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