A rave in Primrose Hill last year

CALLS to gate-off Primrose Hill at night have intensified as families say illegal parties in the park are once again depriving them of sleep.

The number of unlicensed music events has increased over the past month as the weather has improved, with organisers setting up loud sound systems at the weekend and drawing hundreds of partygoers to the area.

Residents claim there has also been an escalation in drug dealing and violence in and around the park.

A meeting was held on Monday between ward councillors, police and the Royal Parks’ director Nick Biddle to discuss the concerns, with the idea of closing the park at night raised again.

“Many of us have campaigned against that idea in the past but times have changed, and seeing what’s happening now, and believing it’s only going to get much worse as we head towards summer, we feel it’s necessary that gates are installed,” said Labour councillor Pat Callaghan.

“Our concern is that as well as residents’ constant lack of sleep, it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt up there.” The estimated cost of gates for the park has ranged from £160,000 to £300,000.

Reports of gatherings on the hill have become regular events on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with large groups arriving from 9pm onwards.

Residents say many congregate around cars playing loud music on the perimeter of the park before heading inside later in the night.

Sue Johnson, 63, who lives in a road near the park, said the situation was already “unbearable”, adding: “If police come the sound systems are turned off and they sit there quietly, or leave and congregate back on the streets around before heading back in after the police have gone. It’s maddening.” She said: “I’ve lived here over 35 years and it used to be safe but now it’s not very pleasant.”

A message on the Hill last summer

Councillor Oliver Cooper, leader of Camden’s Conservative party, said: “It’s clear people gathering in the park have a complete sense of impunity. People aren’t merely breaching Covid regulation but causing fights and dealing drugs in the open.

“Primrose Hill is being advertised on social media as the place to go if you don’t want to be disturbed by police. It’s like the Wild West at night.”

Police Inspector Richard Berns, said: “Do I think gates would solve the problem? Yes. But I think that’s something park users would need to weigh up against their freedom to use the park when they want. And it’s simply not a good use of police resources to have officers on the hill 24/7.”

He added: “These are not groups of criminal gangs we’re talking about, they’re just people, perhaps drinking and with sound equipment but unfortunately large gatherings do have a tendency to attract more unsavoury people and anti-social behaviour.”

Mr Biddle said the issue was under review, adding: “The park has been open all night for over 50 years with relatively few public noise issues during that time. The current poor behaviour is wholly unacceptable and has almost certainly been driven by lockdown. We welcome the work of the police to enforce the law and deal with offenders.

“We very much hope that as the coronavirus restrictions are relaxed, we will see the park return to normal.”