Cromford Meadows has become a summer hotspot for night time drug activity, camping and rubbish dumping and locals are urging the police to take action.

District councillor and resident Garry Purdy, said he regularly walks his dogs on the meadows and had alerted police to the problem.

He added: "There is a lack of respect from different members of society and we want some positive police action.

"It is a bit worrying really what is happening at night. Over a period of time the police have not stopped and checked these people.

"It is a balance of how long are we going to put up with this before closing the gates."

Cllr Purdy said problems included glue sniffing and other drug activity, dumping mattresses, sleeping bags, chairs and picnic rubbish, digging up the turf and removing stones from walls to make camp fires.

He added: "The farmer has been concerned a number of times about what he has witnessed at night with people camping down there.

"There is also a serious concern for the sheep because there is lots of glass left behind."

A resident who didn't want to be named for fear of reprisals said: "This is a very attractive part of our area exhibiting abundant wildlife, and is enjoyed by many people, which is why this trend is all the more sickening.

"No action appears to be being taken to prevent this from happening and this alone is disgraceful."

Landowner Simon Key of Cromford Group Limited said the problem was bigger in the summer and he was hoping to work with the council and police.

A police spokesperson said officers were aware of the problem and would be taking steps to tackle it.