My wife and I decided on Friday night at around 6.30pm because of the fine weather to go for a walk in Blaise Castle estate.

The estate has been recently revamped by Bristol City Council, who have spent over a million pounds upgrading the play areas, restaurant, car park and footpaths which as a result is now extremely popular with families bringing their children to use the excellent play areas.

We were therefore surprised on passing the young persons' play area (less than five years old) to find a large number of teenagers inside the fenced area – all male, sat on the benches, using the swings and other facilities designed for small children.

There were also a number drinking cider from large bottles and throwing the empties on the ground.

Because the area was still open to the public and parents who had brought their children to the park could not use the facilities, I thought it would be a good idea to inform some one from the council.

Bristol City Council provides an out of hours contact number which can be found displayed on the entrance gates of both play areas.

So I rang the number using my mobile and after a brief conversation explaining my concern as to what was going on, I was told politely but bluntly it was not a matter for the council, but for the police.

Having had experience of trying to contact the police by phone I asked if she could contact the police and I was told that was not possible. So I dutifully phoned the police. As it was clearly not an emergency I phoned the 08454 567000 number which incidentally is a premium rate number, had the usual prompt reply, followed by the wait to be transferred to the control centre who then took my details.

As we left the estate a large number of very young girls, all teenagers, arrived also carrying bags of bottles presumably to join with their friends

After a period of reflection I must say we really do need some joined up thinking on this issue. Most of the trouble in Henbury is fuelled by drink, and in this case it must have been supplied locally – the carrier bags did not have any of the big superstores' names on them.

But also I do not believe the police should not be used to provide a baby sitting service for the badly behaved small minority of the younger generation.

After all the problems of damage to the park, which must cost a fortune to repair, and problems with drunken behaviour in the park you would have thought there would have been some direct liaison with the police so action could be taken straight away.

Why don't the council and the police make the estate, including the local roads, an alcohol-free zone so that anyone, especially under-18, found with it can be dealt with professionally.

Finally if Bristol City Council thinks it needs an out-of-hours emergency resource could they be a bit clearer as what it is for, so we the public don't waste their time and ours.

Chris Tovey, By email.