VISITORS who had their cars locked in Tredegar Park for more than an hour have called for alternative security measures instead of locking the gates.

Calls have been made for CCTV cameras or increased police presence in in the evenings to deter anti-social behaviour, rather than locking the gates to vehicular access from 6pm until 6am every night.

It comes after around 10 cars were locked in the park on Monday night after the gates were closed from 6pm until around 7.30pm.

Park wardens have recently been withdrawn from Tredegar Park after a warden was attacked and needed hospital treatment.

There have also been reports of anti-social behaviour, including drug taking and stone throwing at wardens.

After the warden was assaulted Newport City Council decided to withdraw the service every evening at 6pm with immediate effect until July 10, when it will be reviewed.

But Visitors, including a family with a 10-month-old baby, were unable to leave the park, with several calling the police in a bid to be freed.

Tony Watkins, who was visiting the park with his wife, son and grandson on Monday night, criticised the council for the lack of communication about the withdrawal of park wardens.

He added that those affected would be families bringing their children to the park in cars, rather than those responsible for anti-social behaviour who use skateboards to get to the park.

Mr Watkins, aged 50, added that he believed the earlier closure had also been badly communicated with just one notice put up in the park.

“It’s just a bad situation with bad communication,” he said.

A spokesman from Newport City Council apologised for the “inconvenience” caused by visitors being locked in the park, but said signs warning about the new closing times were ‘clearly on display’.

“Signs advertising the new closing times are clearly on display at the park entrance and within the wider park grounds,” he said.

“Information has also been put on the council website and through its social media sites, as well as in the South Wales Argus.

“We regret if the earlier closing time has caused any inconvenience but ask park users to be mindful of the new times and share this change with family and friends.”

The park remains open to the public until 10pm, but gates for vehicle access close at 6pm.