BANNING notices could be slapped on unruly youngsters who cause a nuisance in Bicester's Garth Park.

Police and councillors are looking at the idea to stop a repeat of last summer's problems, which included antisocial behaviour, drunkenness and criminal damage.

The scheme, which usually covers privately-owned areas such as shopping centres, would see police and council officers telling troublemakers their "implied invitation" to use the park was withdrawn.

Town centre neighbourhood police officer Pc Nicki Entwistle said this would make them trespassers if they returned to the park - which could strengthen a potential court action.

In a letter to Bicester Town Council, Ms Entwistle said: "The summer holiday will soon be here.

"Garth Park will be attracting many visitors, many of them families with children wanting to enjoy the weather and scenery. As you are aware, the serenity of the park has been damaged by a minority of Bicester residents intent on simply spoiling it for others.

"Observations from last season will show incidents ranging from antisocial behaviour through to criminal damage.

"Youths hanging around in the park drinking alcohol has become a problem, with rude drunken behaviour and associated bad language."

She added that police would monitor requests to attend Garth Park and highlight suitable candidates for a temporary banning notice.

And she said persistent troublemakers could be handed anti- social behaviour orders or acceptable behaviour contracts.

Ms Entwistle said: "We already have pubwatch and shopwatch - this is like parkwatch."

At a meeting last Monday town councillors said they would consider the idea and meet police for more information.

Councillor Nick Cotter, a criminal defence solicitor, said: "I'm concerned people who have done nothing wrong will be criminalised for this."

Council leader Debbie Pickford said: "There have been occasions in the afternoons of quite unpleasant drinking in the park."