A VIOLENT stabbing which left a man with deep gashes to his head and neck has prompted Bournemouth council to take action to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The 43-year-old victim was taken to Poole Hospital after the serious assault and a 31-year-old woman has been arrested and released on police bail until mid-January 2014.

Police have said they believe the people involved in the incident, which occurred at Frost Road council flats in West Howe on Wednesday December 18, are known to each other.

Bournemouth council sent round anti-social behaviour information leaflets to all the residents in the housing estate as residents have said vandalism, arson and aggressive behaviour is blighting the lives of families in West Howe.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment Cllr David Smith said: “We want to reassure the residents of West Howe that this stabbing was an isolated incident.

“We are working with the Police to make Bournemouth a safe town. It is a tiny minority of people in Bournemouth who behave anti-socially but they can have a big impact in their community. “These information leaflets seek to outline the many forms of anti-social behaviour and remind residents of what the Council can do to help and support them.”

After hearing reports of the suspected stabbing many neighbours have said they feel “unsafe” and remembered the incident in July last year when a man was stabbed to death in nearby Coleman Road.

One resident Becka Burden said: “I don’t feel safe in this area, it’s an absolute nightmare.

“We’ve all got these anti-social behaviour leaflets through our doors but I think more needs to be done.”

Local resident Nick Slaughter: “We have had a lot of problems with anti-social behaviour in this area. The wing mirrors of all the cars in the street have been ripped off and my wife’s car has been smashed.”