Plans are being made to crack down on “serious criminal behaviour” in Royal Pavilion Gardens.

The park in central Brighton is popular with tourists and residents alike but has been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour.

In a new report published by Brighton and Hove City Council, plans have been made to redesign and restore the park.

The council plans to make a joint bid with the Royal Pavilion and Museums Trust (RPMT) for £4.4 million in National Lottery heritage funding.

To protect its role as a palace garden and public park, the council will agree on a strategy to address serious criminal behaviour

Measures could include joint working with the police, increased security, improved lighting and design and expanded CCTV coverage.

The council hopes to develop the Royal Pavilion Estate as “a world-class cultural and heritage site” by improving the integration of the Royal Pavilion and Gardens, Brighton Dome, Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Corn Exchange and the Studio Theatre in their historic setting.

Historic England placed the Garden on its Heritage At Risk Register in 2017 and since this time a programme to protect and maintain the garden has been in development.

Plans include improved footpaths, a new education space and the reinstatement of historic boundary railings and a new planting plan. Without these works being carried out there is the risk that the garden could lose its listed status.

Following discussions with RPMT, it has been agreed that 24-hour public access to the garden will be maintained.

There could also funding for proposed statues, including a statue of Indian Soldiers who fought in World War 1 and were nursed in the Royal Pavilion and a statue of suffragette Mary Clarke who was active in Brighton in 1909/10.

Council Leader Bella Sankey said: “The aim of the project is to ensure our unique and historic Royal Pavilion Garden is a garden fit for a city and that it retains its listed status.

“This plan contains exciting proposals to restore some of the garden’s former glory as well as ensure maximum use by residents and visitors.”