Large groups banned from South Bank’s Jubilee Gardens

In an announcement on its website, the Jubilee Gardens Trust – which manages the green space next to County Hall and the London Eye – says that "criminal damage to property and plants" has been "linked to large meet-up groups arranged through social media".

"Anti-social behaviour impacts the enjoyment of all and will not be tolerated in the gardens," said security manager Adam Loxley.

"Unfortunately, following several incidents that caused serious damage to the trees and the gardens' property, we must suspend permission for meet-up groups organised through social media, and large groups exceeding, or likely to exceed, 20 people, to use the gardens until further notice."

The trust says the restriction does not apply to supervised school groups or organised tours.

Trustees are appointed from three constituencies: local residents' groups, local businesses and major local landowners.