ANTISOCIAL youths ragging motorbikes over a Southampton park and leaving trails of litter have been branded "selfish".

For many, visiting Bitterne Park's Riverside Park has been a nice treat for families and groups of friends looking to enjoy the city's outside green spaces.

However, the actions of a few have ruined it for most with distractingly loud music, piles of litter, and antisocial motorbike use.

Hampshire Constabulary and members of Southampton City Council have confirmed numerous reports of poor behaviour and littering at the park this summer.

Police have told the Daily Echo of a number of incidents at the park dating back to May.

They include a report of a male riding a moped through Riverside Park without a helmet and a child on the back on May 23, a report of two young people riding scrambler bikes across the recreation ground at speed on May 31, a report of a group of males sitting on the grass in Woodmill Lane, throwing bottles across the road on June 13, and a report of two pit bikes riding through Riverside Park with three people on one bike and two on the other on June 14.

A spokesperson from the Force said: "We know that anti-social behaviour has a negative impact on local communities and we also recognise that such incidents can quickly escalate and often have a profound and lasting impact on those who are victims.

"Every report of anti-social behaviour is assessed to identify where we need to focus our patrols and prioritise working with partners to keep our communities safe.

"Officers continue to carry out patrols in the area.

"We encourage anyone who witnesses anti-social behaviour that may be causing a risk to yourself or someone else, or which you think may be a crime, to call us on 101 or report it to us online at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/asb/asb/report-antisocial-behaviour/."

On top of this, residents say the park has been plagued by litter.

One resident, who lives close to the park, said: "I’m disgusted by people who leave litter and discarded BBQ trays and, an electric scooter too.

"This has become a scourge on today’s society and is totally unacceptable with virtually no punishment.".

Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Steven Galton, explained that Enforcement Officers patrol parks and hand out £75 on the spot fines to anyone who litters.

The enforcement service has been in operation for just over a year now and has handed out over 4,000 fines in this time.

He added: "With the recent hot weather and improved use of our outdoor spaces during COVID-19 restrictions, we’ve seen a huge increase in the number of people getting out and enjoying our award winning Parks. However, it’s a great shame that a small minority are not being respectful of these spaces and are leaving their litter behind.

“Our fantastic staff are visiting and tidying our parks on a just about daily basis, and we have also added additional litter bins with increased capacity.

"The city’s Parks are wonderful wildlife habitats and areas for children and families to enjoy. The selfish behaviour of those few who are leaving their rubbish has a negative impact on wildlife, the environment and other residents enjoyment of these communal spaces.

“This week has been the first Antisocial Behaviour Awareness week, which we’ve fully supported. Selfish actions, such as this littering, is an example of exactly the kind of antisocial behaviour that the vast majority of us are so frustrated by."

MP for Southampton Itchen Royston Smith said: "When people leave their rubbish everywhere they are doing so in the knowledge that someone else will have to clear it up.

"It’s selfish and unacceptable. Would they live like that in their own homes?

"I doubt it so why can’t they just clear up after themselves and show some respect for others?”