“Thoughtless brats” who left London Fields covered in rubbish on Sunday have been told they are not welcome in Hackney by a top councillor.
Images were posted online yesterday morning of drinks cans, carrier bags, pizza boxes and burnt-out barbecues covering the park after what was the hottest day of the year.
Thousands of people had flocked to the hipster haven to bask in the 24-degree heat, with the Hackney half marathon adding to the celebratory atmosphere.
But some of the visitors forgot to tidy up after themselves and neighbours even claimed a “drunken orgy” took place overnight.
Hackney’s cabinet member for culture Cllr Jonathan McShane, who ran the half marathon, was one of many left fuming.
He said: “London Fields was exceptionally busy as it was the first hot weekend of the year, so the bins did fill up.
“However, these photos show that lots of people didn’t even bother to put their rubbish near the bins, which made the clean up job on Sunday and Monday even harder.
“We put out plenty of large bins and significant numbers of extra staff during the summer but we will always struggle when thoughtless brats make no effort to clear up after themselves.
“The people who made this mess need to grow up and understand they’re not welcome in Hackney if they won’t respect our parks, our parks staff and local residents.”
Neighbours also claimed a “drunken orgy” took place in the park overnight, saying people had turned up with sleeping bags.
Mike Martin, chairman of the London Fields User Group, said he believed the allowance of barbecues in a designated area on the park was the cause, and said he had been trying “for years” to get them banned by the council.
He told the Gazette: “That’s what brings them all into Hackney. They shouldn’t allow them to have barbecues and they shouldn’t be allowed to stay overnight. It turned into a drunken orgy and there was drug paraphernalia left on the park.
“It’s absolutely disgusting. This weekend was worse than ever. I’ve been flooded with letters about it.”
Gareth Jones, 29, who recently moved to London Fields from Edinburgh was at the park on Sunday.
He said: “It must be something they put in the water because people were getting up to all sorts and some were getting up to all sorts in a paddling pool.”
Hackney Council’s environmental team Greener Hackney were among the first to have their say on the mess, posting photos on Twitter and writing: “It would be nice if people at least put their rubbish near the bins.”
Others also took to the social media platform to comment.
User Bradley Tubb wrote: “Think you’re having a bad Monday? Spare a thought for the @hackneycouncil workers cleaning up #London Fields.”
Terry Stewart, 63, lives near the park and hit out at the people for not taking responsibility.
He said: “It’s appalling. They can just invade our space and trash the place then leave.
“It’s good that they gather in the fields, that’s what parks are for and I’m not a joy-killer. And maybe the bins were full, but if that’s the case at least take it with you.
“We’re the ones who end up paying for it because the council have to clean it up.”
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