A SHOP owner is campaigning for lighting at a skatepark which she says is "repeatedly trashed" and plagued with anti-social behaviour.
Morgan Smith, who runs Surf n Skate shop in Newhaven, says she collects rubbish from the town's skatepark every day, including broken bottles, laughing gas cannisters and other litter discarded in the bowl.
The 20-year-old has launched a crowdfunding campaign for flood lights at the park, which she says would help deter antisocial behaviour and make it safer.
Morgan said: "Newhaven skatepark is tucked away in the corner behind the football club.
"I go over regularly to clean it, picking up broken glass and rubbish. It's just constant at the moment.
"You go down in the morning and there are little kids skating, and there's broken glass.
"It's hard keeping on top of it, and at the end of the day it's not our job. The council will turn up at lunch time and we've already done it.
"We've constantly asked for help but we don't get anything."
Morgan has been making enquiries about flood lighting at the skatepark with Lewes District Council for the past year, but said her questions have been "ignored" by the local authority.
She is initially trying to raise £1,000 in a crowdfunding campaign for lighting and also wants to raise awareness about the issues at the skatepark.
Morgan said: "When you look at other skateparks everywhere else, like Brighton or Seaford, they are right in the middle of everything.
"Skateparks in the middle of the towns have flood lights, but here we have nothing. It's just pushed to the back and left.
"It's like Newhaven is the forgotten town.
"I can't stress enough that it’s not the skaters, scooterers and BMXers trashing the place.
"It’s young kids that hang around up there, drinking and taking drugs, as it’s hidden away and they can get away with anything.
"It's just not fair on the skaters who want to use it.
"Down to the skate park being in amongst a wooded area, it would be safer to have some sort of lighting, and that way it’s visible from the road for policing. Flood lights could be on a timer.
"I honestly believe we can stop all of the issues with lighting there."
A spokeswoman for Lewes District Council said: "We would need to carry out extensive consultation with local residents, other users of Fort Road Recreation Ground and the police to fully assess the impact of floodlighting on antisocial behaviour, wildlife and the adjacent nature reserve.
"Without expert advice from the police, in particular, there is no evidence that lighting would reduce antisocial behaviour and it is possible that it could make the problem worse.
"The council continues to invest in upgrading local facilities as it has done with the new tennis courts and multi-use games area at Fort Road Recreation Ground as well as its bid to the government’s Towns Fund which includes funding for a 3G pitch for the football club and other improvements there."
To donate to Morgan's crowdfunding campaign, visit her GoFundMe page.
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