POLICE are warning people in Dorchester to make sure they use the town's Borough Gardens responsibly this summer.

Inspector Steve Marsh, of Dorchester Police, described the gardens as a 'fantastic facility' for the town that are enjoyed in the right way by the vast majority of people.

However, last year his officers attended a few isolated incidents in the gardens and as the summer season gets into full swing Insp Marsh is warning that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

He said: "We are lucky to have such a fantastic facility as the Borough Gardens and it's great for families and for everybody to relax in such a great environment.

"Everybody has just got to behave responsibly and think about how their behaviour impacts on others.

"There were a few occasions last year where individuals caused anti-social behaviour and went beyond what was acceptable."

Insp Marsh said that police would have a presence in the area and would also be working closely with park staff to make sure any potential issues were stamped out early.

He said: "What we want to try and do is take action early so people understand."

The kind of action they can take was in evidence last year when 19-year-old Kyle Gregory was handed a criminal anti-social behaviour order following an offence of affray in the gardens.

Insp Marsh said at the time Gregor had caused a 'great deal of concern' for police and others in the gardens through 'long term threatening behaviour'.

The order included a condition banning him from the Borough Gardens.

Insp Marsh stressed that incidents of that nature were not common and that many groups of teenagers use the Borough Gardens in the right way and enjoy the site regularly to relax in.

He said there was no issue with people enjoying themselves in such a way but added that they need to think about how their behaviour could impact on others as sometimes groups can be intimidating to other users even if they are doing nothing wrong.

Insp Marsh added that the police were not trying to be 'killjoys' and were keen to see people enjoying the Borough Gardens.

This year the gardens, as ever, is hosting a range of free events from outdoor cinema and a family picnic, to traditional celebrations such as the Dorchester Carnival Party in the Park, Love Parks Day and Armed Forces Day commemorations.

The gardens are maintained by a team of staff from Dorchester Town Council, who are supported by the Friends of the Borough Gardens group.