A POOLE law firm has called on the council and police for action, amid growing concerns over suspected 'drug dealing' and other anti-social behaviour outside their town centre offices.

Staff from solicitors Jacob & Reeves say they face daily intimidation from groups of homeless people gathered behind their offices.

They also report rubbish - which includes used needles - being thrown over the fence of their High Street offices.

A spokesman for the solicitors, whose building backs onto the public open space outside the front of Sainsbury's supermarket, said: "On a daily basis we are faced with drug deals by a number of homeless people next to our building.

"We have spent numerous hours, emails and face-to-face meetings with both the police and community officers explaining our frustrations and upset, however we are not being taken seriously and the drug deals continue."

Workers at Jacobs Reeves say police officers have told them there is little they can do, and that they have no ground to stop and search people.

The spokesman said: "Everyday we put up with rubbish being thrown over our fence, a crowd of homeless people intimidating us and needles, containing blood, left around our building.

"How is this acceptable behaviour on the High Street? And more importantly, how do we move forward from this - who will actually listen?"

Borough of Poole (BOP) safer communities manager, Ian Cooke, said he was aware of the issues being raised, and that the borough is working alongside Dorset Police and other partners to try to address incidents of antisocial behaviour.

Mr Cooke continued: "A new Public Space Protection Order is proposed to cover Poole town centre which will give us additional power to fine or move on people who cause anti-social behaviour.

"Members of the public are encouraged to respond to the consultation on which measures should be included in this on the council website."

Poole Response Inspector James Offer, said: "We are aware of ongoing problems with anti-social behaviour-related incidents in this area. Officers from the local neighbourhood policing team have carried out targeted activity in the area which has resulted in positive outcomes.

"Our teams move flexibly to areas across the town to respond to issues as and when they arise and we have seen a reduction in ASB in the areas we target.

"We will continue to work with the community and partner agencies to take robust action to tackle anti-social behaviour.

"Dorset Police encourages members of the community to report any concerns about drug-related activity.

"We will make every effort to act on information received.

"The local neighbourhood policing team works closely with the community to identify areas of particular concern and where to target our patrols and resources most effectively."