POLICE are stepping up patrols around a nature reserve after receiving complaints from residents about teenage troublemakers.

People living near Bourne Bottom in Poole say the youngsters have been lighting fires, drinking alcohol, throwing cans and bottles in the Bourne Stream, and taking drugs.

Last Sunday night vandals tore down two fence panels from a pensioner's house in Loewy Crescent and used them to fuel a fire under the trees in the woods opposite. The fire brigade and police attended the scene.

The fence was repaired, but on Tuesday night, the new panels were ripped off to start another fire in the same spot. Police were on the scene in minutes and arrested a man of 20 and a 17-year-old girl. Both were later released without charge.

One resident, who said she was too scared to give her name, said: "The stream is a mess. It's just being ruined. We've had a few youths around occasionally, but they've never done this before. They're destroying the area."

The woman whose fence was vandalised, 78-year-old Ursula Trevett, said: "The mess they have created in the stream is terrible. It makes me want to cry to see all the damage."

Inspector Rob Snowdon of Poole police said: "From our perspective, there is a problem, we are aware of the problem, and we are stepping up patrols. It's very much about antisocial behaviour, about making people's lives less tolerable, and we want to stamp on it as soon as possible."

Matti Raudsepp, open spaces manager at Poole Council, said: "Bourne Bottom is an area of beauty and scientific interest, however by its nature it is unfortunately an area that does attract groups of young people.

"The on-going antisocial behaviour problems have improved over the last couple of years and we have increased the number of patrols over the summer holidays.

"There is also a weekly clean-up in a joint initiative between the council and local volunteers, and we will continue to work with the local youngsters to educate and involve them in other more positive activities."

Those include a free fun day at Alderney Recreation Ground from 1 to 4pm on Monday where attractions include activities with wildlife organisations.