DOG-WALKERS and fellow residents have called for a greater police presence after drug use and rough sleeping in the city’s parks reached a new low.

Litter and used syringes have been found strewn across Dorset Gardens in Kemp Town and three tents were pitched in the corner of the park.

Police are now paying close attention to the park, meanwhile in nearby Victoria Gardens in the centre of the city an occupied one-man tent appeared next to the statue of the former queen.

Sharman Dunn walks her dog Ripley in Dorset Gardens every day. She has been working closely with police and the council to improve the area but says this has been the worst summer she has known since moving to the area three years ago.

She said: “On Saturday there were three tents. I’ve tried so hard with this park. I put all the blame on the Government and the cuts

“There’s been huge council cuts and there’s one police officer to patrol a huge area so there’s no-one here to patrol the garden.”

Next month the residents, in a joint project with council officers, will prune bushes and trees in the park to improve visibility and seek to deter those who abuse the area, who may use or deal in drugs.

Large “smile, you’re on CCTV” signs on the railings have improved matters according to dog-walkers, but groups still congregate in the corners of the park.

Ariana Franchi, 68, who lives in George Street, said: “I’ve picked up a packet of syringes. It was an unopened brown parcel. I picked it up because I thought how children come here as well as dogs.

“Groups tend to sit in the corner and do drugs. What really gets me is that they leave such a lot of litter as well as syringes and they relieve themselves, and there’s sick, and then the dogs head for it.

“More policing would be better.”

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Through the city’s Community Safety Partnership we work with the police, housing providers, the community and voluntary sector, other organisations and communities to tackle anti-social behaviour relating to drug taking.”

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: “We are aware of the recent report of drug use in Dorset Gardens Peace Park, Brighton. As a result, we are paying particular attention to this area.”