MORE parents have come forward to call for better policing at night at a South Woodford playground.

After residents living around the Churchfields playground complained to the Guardian that the area was being taken over by teenagers after nightfall, their claims have been backed up by parents using the area during the day.

Tamara Ford, 27, who takes her two-year-old son Dylan to the play area two or three times a week, said: “You can tell that kids come here at night because of all the graffiti – it's everywhere.

“My mum's just moved around the corner and when we first came here it was all nice and clean because it had only been done up recently but now it's covered in writing.

“I think if they had a few more police coming around randomly it would deter them but it's what kids do.

“They all go to the park and drink because there's nothing else for them to do.”

Her mother Liza Ford, 45, added: “They're doing all the parks up all over east London and it's lovely, but a couple of weeks later it's covered in graffiti.

“It must be happening at night because we don't see anything in the day.”

Yesterday residents told the Guardian that youths were using the area to fight, deal drugs and have sex.

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Police said: "We have received some calls recently regarding Churchfield Park, but none of this specific nature.

"Church End Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Parks Police patrol the park regularly and will be stepping up their patrols over the summer holidays.

"If residents are experiencing problems in the park then they need to contact their Safer Neighbourhood Team on: 8721 2842 or 07887 626647."