AN EXTRA police presence at weekends has seen a significant drop in crime in Margate parks according to town-hall bosses.

Operation Mentor, set up by the police and the Safer Stronger Communities Fund, began in June with the aim of reducing the trouble caused by youngsters drinking in parks, play areas and beaches in Margate and Cliftonville West.

An extra cop and police community support officer are patrolling between 4pm and midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings until September.

The two-man team have been confiscating alcohol from teenagers illegally drinking in Dane Park.

To tackle the problem in the park further, a meeting will be held next month.

Organised jointly by Thanet council, Margate Civic Society and local PCSOs it will take place at the bowls club on Tuesday, September 2 at 6.30pm.

The aim is to ensure people have direct contact numbers so that they can report any issues of antisocial behaviour in the park to one of the area's four PCSOs.

In particular, the group would like to hear from residents and park users such as dog-walkers and football players.

Margaret Main, chairman of Margate Civic Society, said: "We want to get people involved in the running of their park. Whether you're a park user or a local resident, this is your chance to have a say in what happens in the future and to make sure that Dane Park is a facility that people continue to enjoy for many generations to come.

"While it's great to see people using it so much, there is a small minority intent on causing trouble and we won't tolerate that.

"Youths have been seen in the children's play area, smoking, drinking and taking dogs in, which has led to mess around the play equipment.

"We want people to come together and report any incidents like this."