“LONG-SUFFERING” residents of a Boscombe area “plagued” with drugs and crime have spoken out after they were sent a council guide calling on them to improve their homes.

Those living near Churchill Gardens received a leaflet - titled ‘A short guide to improving your property’ - through the post this week.

As part of the guide, residents are urged to carry out works to their homes - including repainting front doors in a ‘dark colour’ and removing ‘unnecessary’ satellite dishes and aerials.

Council officials have also requested that front paths are re-paved with terracotta and black tiles with barley twist edging, brickwork is re-pointed and ‘non-original or poor quality features’ are replaced.

But one resident, who didn’t want to be named said: “This area has been plagued by drug abuse, crime, theft and assaults, with nothing being done about it by the local authority.

“Now they have the cheek to send us a guide of how our property should look and be kept.

“They’ve set a deadline of the end of October for these changes to be made.

“If they make the effort to tidy up the syringes and used condoms, we will make the effort to ensure our properties are in keeping with the ‘Churchill Gardens conversation project’.”

He said the area has become the HMO (house in multiple occupation) “capital of Bournemouth”.

“It’s an absolute joke," he said.

“What’s the point of painting your front door a different colour if there’s a drug addict shooting up when you go outside?”

Churchill Gardens has been one of Bournemouth’s 20 conservation areas since 1993.

Ward councillor Chris Wakefield said owners can apply to the council for funding to improve frontages.

"There are properties in that area which make the place look run down, and that leads to a perception that the whole place isn't very nice," he said.

"In actual fact, Churchill Gardens has a vibrant community. I've spoken to many residents who have invested in the area themselves too."

Cllr Wakefield said he "couldn't understand" those who "bash Boscombe".

"There has been a financial investment from the council, as well as the investment of people who give time and effort to their community," he said.

Jennifer Porter, who lives near the gardens, said: “To be honest, I think a lot of people who own houses here could do better. These run-down houses make it look a lot worse.

“I think the council could do more, but people who live here have a responsibility too.”

Two years ago, Bournemouth councillor Robert Chapman said the area would be “regarded as a gem if it was in London”.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Cllr Chapman said “we would be fighting to buy the properties” were they located in the capital instead.