'Lawless' park could be patrolled by security

Mr Freed said the Downs were "being trashed"

Security patrols could be introduced on the Downs in Bristol to prevent the parkland from becoming “overwhelmed by lawlessness”.

A private company would be hired to issue fines to anybody caught breaking rules including parking on the grass or having a barbecue.

The Clifton Down and Durdham Down in the north of the city are subject to a series of old byelaws, which in theory ban people from a range of activities. However, these are rarely enforced.

Robert Westlake, chair of the Downs Advisory Panel, said: “Many byelaws are ignored daily, including driving and parking on the grass, damage to verges from vehicle dwellers and careless contractors, pitching tents, cycling on footpaths, depositing excrement on the highway and in shrubbery, fires, unauthorised games, barbecues, and even flying drones.”

The Downs also hosts festivals, such as Pride and Forwards

The Downs committee was urged to take action and clamp down on people flouting the byelaws, during a meeting on 10 June. The committee is made up of councillors from Bristol City Council and members of the Society of Merchant Venturers, a business group.

Mr Westlake added that there should be a “one-month blitz” with a zero-tolerance approach taken to anybody "caught flouting the park rules".

The council’s parks department has had its budget repeatedly cut over recent years, which it claimed means there are not enough staff to enforce the byelaws, at the Downs or elsewhere.

Work is taking place to estimate how much a private security company would need to be paid.

David Freed, a member of the Merchant Venturers, added: “That’s the council’s problem, that’s not our problem. We’re here to look after the Downs, and the Downs is one of the most beautiful open urban spaces anywhere in the south of England.

"It’s being trashed at the moment. Every day that goes by, we’re gaining a reputation nationally for not looking after it.”