Council employs a herd of cows in the battle against anti-social behaviour

A council has enlisted the support of an unlikely new group of guards to stop gangs of youths from congregating on playing fields: a herd of cattle.

Eight sturdy Aberdeen Angus cows have been put out to graze on the Monks Brook playing fields in Swaythling, Southampton, to deter vandals.

Before their arrival the area was plagued with youths on motorcycles, tearing up the surface of the fields and breaking down fences.



But since the cattle, which are owned by a local farmer, were introduced recently, complaints about anti-social behaviour have dropped sharply.

Officials at Hampshire County Council also hope that the presence of the cattle could deter travellers, who have settled at the site in the past, from returning.

They are considering whether cows may be the solution to other sites blighted by anti-social behaviour.