A PARK beset by anti-social behaviour problems – with the latest incident seeing a man running around naked – could land taxpayers with a £22,000 bill for fencing.

Concerns over public rights of way across Northallerton’s Bullamoor Park – which would be affected if the site is closed off at night – led to town councillors calling for a site meeting and more information on the plans.

The Mayor, Councillor John Forrest, has been working with the police to revive the rundown park and appealed to local people to get involved in efforts to transform the green space in the heart of Northallerton.

But there was concern when a report was presented to the town council.

Cllr Ken Archer said: “We are going to fence it off and lock the gates – I think it is a ridiculous idea.

"What are you going to do with all the public rights of way?

“There is CCTV which operates there and when you walk near you can see where its cover ends because that is where you come across broken bottles and cans of beer.

"If there was CCTV there that would solve those problems, the kids know where they are being recorded and where they are not.”

Councillor John Prest added: “I think it is a sad state of affairs. These clowns have got us looking at putting £22,000 worth of fencing in the park when we have never fenced it previously.

"We want to see more plans. We need a site visit. This has to be deferred to see what is going on and bring it back here when we have all the evidence and all the facts.

“There has always been that little bit of a problem going on in the park and that has been happening since I was a lad. It is very sad.

"The police say they can’t cope with it but what do they do? I am sorry to say we don’t see the police about.

"I haven’t seen the police in the town unless there is aggro going on.”

Cllr Forrest said: “It doesn’t all have to be done at once.

"We can’t currently lock the gates, we can’t do anything with Bullamoor Park until the area is in a secure situation.

"It was only the other week we had somebody running around starkers. The problems are at night.”