Police won't patrol kids playground after 8pm because it's too dark and dangerous

A police chief has come under fire for banning his officers from a playground when it is dark - because it might be too dangerous. Inspector Andy Sullivan warned them to steer clear of the vandalism hotspot after 8pm because of health and safety fears. Residents in Cambridgeshire have complained that drunks and other troublemakers hanging around in the area have made it off-limits for years.

But the senior officer told councilors in market town Wisbech it was too risky for them to deal with them the problem at night because the plot was still like a building site, with no lighting. He said they would only visit the £1m Waterlees adventure playground if a crime was being committed but refused to eject people otherwise. David Wheeler, a town councilor, described the inspector’s stance as "potty".

He said: "The anti-social behavior that's being talked about has been going on for many years. Policing is policing – it should be 24-7, wherever it is." A police spokesman said: "During the evenings there's no lighting so it's effectively pitch black. It's not a police officer's job to ensure the area's kept clear. However, if a crime's committed or there's a risk to life, officers would take appropriate action."

Floodlights have not been put up at the request of residents. Asked if it was the council's failure for not having security staff in the area, Mr Wheeler said there were guards at the weekends and added: "It's the fact that it was policed in the past and not now." Councilors have suggested the force invests in some torches.