ANGRY residents on a Preston estate have slammed council bosses for letting a popular park turn into a muggers' paradise by refusing to cut back trees.

Locals say that trees, bushes and shrubs around the Smiths Recreation ground in Frenchwood have turned the area into a no-go zone for residents at night.

Instead of being the hub of community life, after dark the park attracts drug dealers, muggers and thugs - who hide in the dense greenery.

Now local residents are calling for the park be made open by pruning the trees.

Pauline Sharples, of the nearby Ruskin Street Neighbourhood Watch organisation, said: "If a crime is carried out there, no-one knows about it because it is so isolated.

"There is also a bowling green, which is used by 40 elderly people, and a park keeper who is often alone.

"It is impossible to see what is going on down there from the road, so passing police patrols can't see into the park.

"It is the ideal location for crime."

The residents' protests - which have led to a petition - have been backed by local police and Avenham councillor Ken Cole.

Coun Cole said: "At present tall trees hide vandals from view.

"We need to persuade leisure services to do something about this so the park can be used safely."

Nobody was available to comment from Preston Borough Council, although residents say they have been told that there would be some pruning.

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