HAMPTON Green has been 'scarred' by tyre tracks after joyriders drove around it last night and locals fear it could happen again.

Photos of the damage were posted on Twitter by Hampton Councillor and Richmond Council leader Gareth Roberts today (21 January).

The pictures show the green marked by lines skidding across it but Cllr Roberts says the images don't fully represent the scale of the damage to the area.

He wrote: "Appalling damage to #Hampton Green done overnight by joyriders.

"These pictures really don't do 'justice' to the scale of the scarring which is across the entirety of the green.

"Have raised with @lbrut officers about how we might give more protection to this much loved open space."

Cllr Roberts told Nub News that the joyriding happened last night.

"It was reported to the police but they'd gone by the time the police arrived - not reported as an emergency, I understand," he said.

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He added: "It has happened before but the fear is it could well happen again."

He confirmed that there was a "substantial area of damage" to the village green, though no trees were damaged.

Hampton Green, formerly known as Ganders Green, provides a play area as well as a good sized grass area for games, picnics and community events, according to Richmond Council.