The Royal Parks police today revealed more details of the anti-social behaviour which led to the overnight closure of the gates at Bushy Park.

The have witnessed or been told about "scores of people drinking, smoking, using laughing gas cannisters, littering, and lighting fires late at night, sometimes as late as 3am."

A spokesperson added: "These gatherings create an enormous amount of litter that includes gas cannisters. Our park teams have also had to clear smashed glass, which our deer, including their new-borns could have trod on."

Yesterday the police said late-night parties in the park had triggered the overnight closure of seven gates.

Police plan to launch extra patrols in the area in the evenings and will take responsibility for locking the gates.

In a statement the Royal Parks said:"Bushy Park is an important refuge for nature and is home to over 300 wild deer. It is important to stress it is not a place for late night parties.

"Recently, the police and the park teams have witnessed or been informed of, late night anti-social behaviour on the cricket ground at Hampton Hill.

"In response the police have asked that we close the seven surrounding gates at 9.30pm as a short-term measure.

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"After listening to feedback, we will now reopen the gates each morning from 5.30am (with all gates open by 6am), not 7.15am as previously stated.

"Park management and the police are dealing with this as a two-pronged approach. The gate closures are there to deter people from entering the problem areas late at night.

"The police will be increasing their presence at night and will complete the physical closing of the gates themselves at 9.30pm so they can deal with any anti-social behaviour on the spot."

The closed gates from 9:30pm to 6am will be:

Dukes Head Passage

Hampton Hill New Gate

Blandford Gate

Clapperstile Gate

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"Each of these can be viewed on our updated park map

"We fully appreciate the potential impact on early commuters and will closely monitor this and react accordingly.

"Please be assured that this is not a decision we have taken lightly, and we look forward to returning to normal operations immediately once this issue has been resolved."