A Richmond village green has been torn up by car drivers with fuming locals saying it looks like an "athletics track".

Hampton Police tweeted a photo of Gander Green with huge muddy tyre marks slashed across the park.

Car drivers have sped across and around the unfenced green space several times.

Angry Londoners commented on the tweet including journalist Tom Gaymor.

He said: "Genuinely saddened to see this criminal damage to a local green, it has happened twice in recent weeks too. Disgraceful and reckless behaviour Who does this…."

Local Colin Hutchings said: "Someone in those adjacent houses must see or hear something, looking at the tracks, whoever is in the vehicle is giving it some welly."

Janet M tweeted: "It looks like an athletics track."

Marco Barendswaard commented: "Who does this? People that amongst themselves have just enough brain cells to tie a shoelace."

Hampton Police tweeted: "The team have been made aware of the damage caused to Gander Green in Hampton and will increase patrols in the area."

Councillor Gareth Roberts, leader of Richmond Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "It is a great shame to see one of our local green spaces damaged by anti-social behaviour.

"Our parks should be safe places for everyone to enjoy. Our parks team will be visiting Hampton village green to inspect the damage and arrange any necessary repairs.

"Our enforcement contractors' park guard will also patrol the area to deter any further breaches of our public space protection orders."

The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for further information.

The team have been made aware of the damage caused to Gander Green in Hampton and will increase patrols in the area. #hampton #wecantbeeverywherebutwecanbeanywhere pic.twitter.com/uw1NKuLb6M

— Hampton Police (@MPSHampton) January 21, 2022