Congleton Police have been asked to step up patrols at a local park to establish who is responsible for the "extreme" anti-social behaviour.

Local dog owner Ang Imroth told Nub News that there have been regular incidents of anti-social behaviour at the Atkin Close park over the last year.

The play area, located opposite the Unicorn pub on Holmes Chapel Road, has been the subject of planted poison and broken glass.

With the park being a popular dog walker route, the poisonous food is being placed deep in the grass where dogs are likely to be sniffing and where their owners cannot see.

Mrs Imroth reported her concerns twice to the police in the same week earlier this month and many times last year, and after receiving permission from Cheshire East Council she also put posters up around the park telling people to be vigilant.

However, Mrs Imroth stated that every time she put a poster up, they would be ripped down. To date she has put up 10 posters around the park.

Mrs Imroth said: "It's clearly someone who doesn't like dogs and I don't think it's a coincidence that a dog sadly passed away last year at a property on Parker Way, which is on the same estate.

"The dog died after eating poisonous food which was thrown into the garden."

Mrs Imroth felt that whoever was behind the anti-social behaviour was carrying it out in a "tactical" manner, there was one instance where a bottle of beer had been smashed into very small pieces and then scattered in a line to block dog walkers entering the park via the Richards Grove path.

Mrs Imroth added: "If anyone witnesses anything suspicious then please call the police."

A Cheshire East Council spokesperson said: "We are aware of these complaints and we are working with Congleton Town Council and local police to establish the precise nature of these incidents and consider further action.

"This would appear to be extreme anti-social behaviour, which could also amount to criminal behaviour depending on the severity of the nuisance caused.

"We have asked the police to step up patrols of the area while the council will also increase monitoring of the park with a view to identifying the person or persons responsible."