BOURNEMOUTH’S Lower Gardens have been plunged into darkness prompting fears of increased antisocial behaviour.

Following the removal of the Christmas illuminations, council officials say they are working on a solution to the lighting problem but have not given any details as to the nature of the issue.

Lighting remained out in a large section of the gardens near the bandstand and mini golf course over the weekend.

The park has a recent history of violence and antisocial behaviour, especially at night, with local police teams listing crime and disorder issues in the gardens as one of their top priorities.

At the last meeting of the Lower Central Gardens Trust board in October, a report from Bournemouth Borough Council’s head of parks development, Michael Rowland, said staff had worked extremely hard throughout the year to retain standards within the Lower Gardens following a spate of vandalism in the area.

Mr Rowland’s report added: “Trampling of flower beds and broken glass around the toilets was recorded on an almost daily basis throughout the summer holidays, on several occasions entire beds of flowers were completely trampled.”

Earlier in 2017, glass panels in the bandstand were smashed, and graffiti was sprayed around the Pine Walk art exhibition.

Residents speaking to the Daily Echo were concerned about the prolonged blackout. Moira Metcalfe, a regular walker through the gardens, said: “It needs to be done as soon as possible as if anything happens they will be suing the council left, right and centre.

“It’s dangerous and it’s a duty of the council to fix it along with all the other problems in Bournemouth.”

Another walker said: “I walked through the Lower Gardens at 9pm on a Friday night and was really surprised by how dark it was.

“I was walking with someone else, but had I been walking alone I would have felt quite nervous about it as there weren’t many people around, particularly as there have been incidents in the gardens after dark.

“I’ve also walked through at around 6pm and they don’t seem to be switched on even at that time of day.”

Madeline Selfe, 26, added: “Walking through the Lower Gardens with less lighting made me feel uncomfortable because I know there could be people around who would take advantage of a young woman walking alone in the dark.”

Mr Rowland said: “We are aware that there is a problem with the lighting along the main path through the gardens following the removal of the Christmas illuminations.

“We are working to get these lights back on as soon as possible.”

The Lower Central Gardens Trust board is due to meet on Wednesday and it is likely that the issue will be discussed.

However, town centre councillors appeared sensitive about the issue when approached by the Daily Echo over the weekend.

Despite being a representative for the central ward, which includes the Lower Gardens, Cllr Mike Greene said he was not aware of the issues going on and did not want to make a comment.

Fellow ward councillor David Smith, who is on the Lower Gardens Trust board, said he had not been informed of any recent antisocial behaviour incidents in the gardens.

"I will work with officers to get the problem rectified as soon as possible," Cllr Smith said.