COUNCIL chiefs have vowe d to stamp out littering and antisocial behaviour in part of Old Basing after a resident uncovered sexual items left near a children’s play area.

A resident wrote to The Gazette saying they had seen underwear, sexual items and beer cans strewn across a children’s play area at the Lime Pits, in Old Basing.

As reported in The Gazette back in 2009, two Lime Pits car parks, in Redbridge Lane had become a notorious haunt for illegal sexual activity.

Now the borough council aims to focus its efforts into increasing community patrols of the area to cut down on the amount of antisocial activity taking place there .

Rebecca Emmett, executive director of borough services, said they are working closely with all the partners involved to decide what action needs to be taken.

She said: “This is totally unacceptable, especially in an area where children and families visit. We do not tolerate littering of any kind.

“Warning signs have been put up and we have increased community safety patrols.

“We are working with the police, residents and Old Basing and Lychpit Parish Council to look at what other action that can be taken about this antisocial behaviour and to make further improvements in the area.”

The borough council said they are actively working to regenerate the Lime Pits area by upgrading the car park, cutting back undergrowth and running conservation work in the area.

However, despite the best efforts of the borough council they continue to have reports of litter and antisocial behaviour in the area and regularly have to send crews to clean up the Lime Pits and the Crabtree Plantation areas.