Park facilities get upgrades to discourage crime

Canterbury City Council says it hopes that refurbishing Memorial Park in Herne Bay will help deter anti-social behaviour

Sports facilities in a Kent park are undergoing a major facelift with hopes to discourage anti-social behaviour, says a council.

Eight tennis courts are being refurbished at the Memorial Park in Spenser Road, Herne Bay, with work expected to be finished within the next six weeks, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) reports.

Canterbury City Council says two multi-use games areas, used predominantly for football and basketball, are also being restored.

Dan Watkins, who represents Herne Bay East on the council, said: "We think by improving and modernising facilities, be it tennis, football or basketball, it will give young people more options to enjoy themselves."

He said: "Memorial Park has had problems with anti-social behaviour."

Last year, a £74,000 contract to transform the rundown and moss-covered tennis courts was put out to tender, with the work beginning in February.

Three of the courts have already been resurfaced, but not painted.

The council says it is looking for a private firm to complete the transformation of the two game areas, with one court already resurfaced for basketball.

A spokesman for the authority said: "These courts will be predominantly for football and basketball.

"The plan is to get the work done by the end of July ready for the summer holidays."

The council says Herne Bay Basketball Club will be involved in the design of the new courts and fencing will be upgraded to reduce noise.

Mr Watkins added: "We need more sports facilities available for everyone to enjoy themselves and stay active."