Children are being unfairly victimised by police forces as they walk to and from an adventure playground, parents and play workers claim.

Shakespeare Ward Adventure Playground has received four complaints from worried parents since a dispersal zone was implemented in the area. They all expressed concerns about the “intimidation tactics” used by police.

The zone was introduced in August after a series of attacks by the ‘Soldiers of Shakespeare’ gang on Butterfield Green, in Clissold.

Under the scheme, police have the power to disperse gangs and forcibly remove aggressive youths who are from elsewhere in London.

One play worker claimed he witnessed a police officer pushing a boy against a playground wall without any provocation.

Wesley Lucas said: “I came out and saw the officer with his hand up against his chest. As soon as he saw me he took his hand away.

“The boy then started searching his own pockets without a word from the officer. He looked upset.

“I told the officer the guy was completely innocent. I know the community and I know his mother. This guy was not a troublemaker.”

The boy’s mother Annette said that she was distressed by the alleged incident: “My son was very very upset and so was I. The way in which they search children is a form of intimidation.

“The police should be more wary. It’s a play centre with supervised staff. They should have gone in there and identified themselves to the staff.”

The youth centre has put up a poster informing children of their rights if they are stopped by the police.

Children are advised that police officers must have reasonable grounds for suspecting possession of drugs, weapons or stolen goods to use stop and search powers.

Mr Lucas said that witnessing the heavy-handed tactics of the police prompted him to act.

Tony Bamgbad, 12, who has been stopped five times, said that he did not understand why he had been targeted by police, and Youssef, 12, said: “They stop kids for no reason.”

Mr Lucas claimed that the behaviour of police officers was damaging children’s perceptions of authority.

He said: “How are children meant to give respect when basically the police are acting the way they do?”

“Their approach is to say ‘Right we’re here, be afraid of us,’” he said. “Whilst that works in certain situations it doesn’t work when you’re approaching a child that has done nothing wrong.”

The play area has been a popular attraction for Hackney children for nearly three decades. It features climbing frames, zip wires and cargo nets. There is also a hut that contains computers and arts materials for children to use.

Mr Lucas has asked the police to arrange a question answer session between police officers and children who visit the playground.

Stoke Newington police were unavailable for comment. However a spokesperson for Hackney police said: “Our feedback from residents is that the dispersal order has been a great success. The dispersal order was extended at the request of the residents.”