A safe zone is being established for women, girls and other vulnerable people at Richmond station at weekends across the summer.

The move comes against the background of rising concerns about drunkenness, violence, drug dealing and antisocial behaviour, particularly around Richmond Green.

It also comes amid concerns that Richmond closed its police station several years ago and complaints about a lack of officers on the streets in the area, which attracts thousands of people over summer weekends.

The scheme is a joint initiative including the British Transport Police, Richmond Police, Richmond Council Community Safety Service, South Western Railway Community Officers and Street Pastors.

They said it is 'intended to create a safe space for women and girls, or anyone else who is feeling vulnerable, that they can go to when they are out in Richmond town centre'.

The safe space will be in the pedestrian area outside the Railway Station near to the bus stop. Under the gazebo, staff from these agencies will be available from 9pm through to 1am every Friday and Saturday night for 10 weekends.

They will be there to help ensure a safe environment for persons enjoying the night time economy within Richmond and for assistance to be available if required.

Sergeant Julian Mason, of British Transport Police, said: "Our vision was to create a safe location which people could go to if they need assistance while they're on nights out in the town centre. We wanted to create something innovative with a collaborative approach to ensure that everyone who lives and visits the borough feels safe, knowing officers from BTP and the Metropolitan Police are there to deter criminality."

Local Neighbourhood Inspector for Richmond Police, Jon McLoughlin, said: "This is an excellent initiative which my local teams will fully support. 

"Our aim is to continue to keep Richmond Upon Thames one of the safest boroughs in the Met for our communities. This will bolster and enhance our response team presence in the area by offering a safe space for all in need".

Richmond Council leader, Gareth Roberts, said: "We know people can feel unsafe at night and that Richmond town centre is one of the borough's busier places on a Friday and Saturday night.

"The Safer Space by the railway station will provide people with a place to go to get advice or any help, should they need it. This work is part of the Community Safety Partnership's long-term strategic approach to ending violence against women and girls and improving the safety of women at night.

"I'm proud to see this initiative in place and hope it provides reassurance that the Council is working with its partners to deliver improvements to people's safety."

Residents living around Richmond Green said the area was the centre of 'carnage' on Friday night.

One said: "About 200 kids had congregated from about 6.00 pm onwards until probably 1.30 am drinking and smoking weed, screaming and shouting most of the time.

"The place was carnage; the empty bottles and crap that was left behind for others to clear up was staggering. And what I don't understand is where were the police?

"It's the centre of Richmond and yet it was allowed unchallenged I've cleared the crap that was thrown in to the garden. I'm stunned nothing was done - also the blatant drug dealing going on in full view of everyone.

"I have no confidence in the police anymore because nothing is ever done or challenged."