ONE of Bournemouth’s MPs says that the number and distribution of unregulated drug rehab centres in Boscombe needs to be addressed in the wake of last week’s stabbings.

Three knife-related incidents happened on Monday and Tuesday last week and, speaking to the Daily Echo, Mr Ellwood said: “The one angle that I’m looking at, which is slightly apart to this, is the number of unregulated drug rehab operations in Boscombe and I’ve written to the council to ask them what extra powers they would like in order to regulate these on a local basis.”

Since the attacks, he has met with the Chief Constable of Dorset Police, Debbie Simpson, and ward councillors.

Writing further in a blog post, Mr Ellwood added: “Concerns have been expressed by a number of residents that the number of drug rehabilitation centres in Boscombe, rather than having an overall positive impact, have instead attracted criminal behaviour to the area.

“That is why I’ve met with local councillors to determine potential courses of action and to assess how the distribution and organisation of these centres can be altered. This could be essential in tackling the core of the problem. However, it is important to recognise that, at present, there are only two regulated residential rehabilitation centres in Boscombe (with a further two in Bournemouth itself).”

On the flip side, he added, the area’s regeneration had made “huge progress” and rehab centres had done “incredible work for the community”.

Mr Ellwood said that he would take council leader Cllr John Beesley’s feedback on the regulation of rehab centres to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, and the Communities and Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles.

“I am confident the council’s recommendations will be warmly received and I will be happy to work with him to present these views at the highest levels of Government in order to work for significant improvements in Boscombe for the future.

“The one positive factor is that these tragic events have catalysed a debate, an engagement in important issues and a recognition of what needs to be done, and I will be working hard locally to ensure that this happens,” he added.