The gate to a park where a woman was allegedly raped is regularly left unlocked attracting drug dealers and anti-social behaviour, neighbours say.

Police are investigating reports a woman was attacked in the early hours of Sunday, October 25 in Dundonald recreation ground.

Neighbours of the leafy park in Wimbledon say they have seen obvious drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in the park in the last few months, with unlocked gates making it easier for people to hang out there at night.

Merton Council insists the gates on all sides are locked every night.

But it is only since the attack in the early hours of the morning that the gates have been locked every night at 8.15pm, according to Dundonald Off-Licence manager Selva Thambo.

Mr Thambo said: "Some people have caused trouble in the park at night after 8pm but it has started closing in the evening since the rape.

"Before, sometimes it was locked, and sometimes it wasn’t."

He said since the alleged attack his customers have said they are scared, and blame council funding cuts for not locking the gates to stop people going in at night.

A neighbour who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It has definitely not been locked.

"The woman would not have been able to walk through the park if the gate had been locked."

The neighbour said her children had found a crack pipe in the park and seen people who look like they are dealing drugs there too. 

A Save Merton’s Parks petition set up by Councillor David Dean last year was signed by 1,430 people calling for the council to, among other things, retain control over the parks services locally, and for improvements to either maintain or improve the service.

It followed news the South London Waste Partnership will buy the contract for parks and waste management from the council as of 2017 as part of attempts by the Labour-run council to carry out budget cuts of £32m.

The partnership will commission environmental services specialists from 2017 to carry out waste collections and aim to keep the borough’s parks clean.

Conservative councillor David Dean said: "It is very important that parks are kept safe - that means having staff on hand to lock the gates at night.

"This sort of allegation happens when safety is put at risk.

"We need to invest in parks and safety."

Labour councillor Peter Walker, who lives near the park, said: "Generally a lot of Merton parks are being left open at night."

He said his wife runs in that park every morning and does not feel unsafe.

Coun Walker said: "Sometimes there are people drinking in there and rough sleepers, but that’s true of most areas in London.

"In terms of the gates being left open, it is a by-product of recent public spending cuts.

"Park staff have been cut to ribbons."

A council spokeswoman said there had been no reports of recent crime or anti-social behaviour made to them.

Speaking of the attack, cabinet member for community safety Councillor Edith Macaulay said: "This was terrible news to hear and I hope the perpetrator is swiftly brought to justice. We are one of the safest boroughs in London so this is a particular blow to the area. Dundonald rec is locked at night by one of our parks team."

There have been no arrests and police continue to appeal for information and witnesses to the alleged rape.

Anyone with information should call 020 8721 4106 or 101.