A war memorial near Buckingham Palace could be fenced off to stop skateboarders and children using it as a playpark.
Plans have been drawn up to erect a 35cm fence around the Canada Memorial in Green Park, which remembers the sacrifice of 100,000 servicemen in the world wars.
It follows a “high number” of complaints about misbehaviour, despite signs highlighting the importance of the memorial, which is also a water feature in summer.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has approached Westminster Council about protecting it with a fence.
The application states: “In the summer months in particular it is subject to people climbing up and down the water and skateboarding down the edges.
“This has resulted in health and safety concerns, damage to the memorial and anger and anguish for many who understand the memorial’s significance.”
The granite memorial, which was unveiled in 1994, is split in two and faces the direction of the Canadian port of Halifax in Nova Scotia, from where many Canadian service personnel sailed for Europe.
Its angled design makes it attractive for both children and skateboarders to play on.
The CWGC had wanted the memorial to be surrounded by a proper fence and gate but this was opposed by Royal Parks.
Parks police have said they will enforce regulations that already prohibit climbing on memorials.
