Council staff who try and stop youngsters using Dorchester's skatepark have been verbally abused.

Town councillors heard that despite wire fencing and warning signs to keep people out during lockdown the area continues to be used – with the fences pulled apart to get in.

The site is directly opposite the town's police station in Weymouth Avenue.

Cllr Janet Hewitt said that she tackled a parent who had taken his two children to the site at the weekend – ignoring all the signs, although he and the children left after she had spoken to him.

She said that when she passed the area again, later in the day, there were groups of older children using the area, despite the ban.

Councillors have now been told not to risk tackling skate park users themselves, but to call the police.

Cllr Molly Rennie said she had some sympathy with the youngsters, although stressed that the rules had to be obeyed: "I think many young people just find it difficult and just want to skate and cycle, but we do need to keep within the Covid restrictions," she told an online town council management meeting.

Town council outdoor services manager Carl Dallison said that the last time the skatepark was closed and sealed off with warning signs and Harris fencing it had simply been wrenched apart to gain access.

"I would hope that our police colleagues who are directly opposite would be able to take some action…whenever our staff approach people all they do is get a mouthful of abuse," he said.

Mr Dallison said that physical methods to block the skating area had been ruled out because of the damage it was likely to cause to the surface.

Committee chairman Cllr Fiona Kent-Ledger advised staff and councillors not to challenge people using the closed down site, but to call the police: "Not so that they will get fined, but it would be better for the police to deal with it," she said.

Other outdoor equipment run by the town council has also been closed in line with Government guidance – including outdoor fitness areas at Kings Road and in the Borough Gardens.

The online meeting also heard that the closure of the skatepark had led to problems elsewhere – with damage being caused to cars parked in the Lower Fairfield covered area where some skaters had moved to after finding the skatepark closed.

Deputy town clerk Steve Newman said that Dorset Council, which manages that area, were aware of the problem and were attempting to tackle it with the help of Police Community Support officers.