VANDALISM, graffitti and noisy illegal use of the park after dark continue to plague Cannizaro, particularly in the summer months.

Merton’s Management Plan says: "The most sustainable solution for future safety and security is to ensure that Cannizaro Park is a well-used and respected facility. With trained on site staff and sensible management of planting and trees, Merton can provide a safe and secure facility for the local community."

Elsewhere it says: "The condition of footpaths, waste bins, benches, planting, fencing are inspected four times a year by park staff. The condition of seats, litter bins etc is undertaken on a daily basis by flagship park staff and rangers. Unsafe facilities are repaired or replaced immediately to ensure user safety and discourage vandalism."

It continues: "The Ranger Group provides the security, litter picking and patrol element to the gardens and the flagship parks operative will provide the horticultural maintenance of this park and others as necessary. This ability to provide a variable workforce allows for the peaks and troughs of the annual workload to be appropriately addressed."

The reality is different as un-addressed damage in Connoisseurs Corner and the former deck-chair shed above make clear. For months too, damaged perimeter fencing is ignored.

While the Friends have always assisted Merton by unlocking the main gates each day, there is currently no alternative to calling the police when noise and other trouble occurs although the damage is usually done by the time this happens.

The Met’s new Safer Neighbourhoods programme aims to provide "local solutions to local problems" and has increased police manning for Wimbledon Village, including Cannizaro. Call Sgt Adrian Sutherland or PC Mark Holmes on 0208 721 2457 or the station on 0208 649 3144.

However the Friends will continue to campaign for serious investment to improve the park security out of hours.