THE centre of Boscombe is probably the most deprived area in the South West of England, new research has revealed.

New figures have been published about the Bournemouth suburb which paint a stark picture of life there.

Life expectancy for residents is the worst across the whole of Bournemouth with 27 per cent of people in Boscombe West living with a limiting long-term illness, more than a third of adults smoke and 28 per cent of adults are obese.

A report published today also highlights that just 15 per cent of residents feel safe outside after dark and anti-social behaviour rose seven per cent in central Boscombe last year.

It was commissioned by Bournemouth 2026 – a partnership of voluntary, community and faith organisations, private companies and public services -to identify the main problems in Boscombe and work together to prevent the gap widening between the most deprived in Boscombe and the more affluent areas of Bournemouth.

The research also found that:

• Cheap housing, transient community and problems at home may be having a profound effect on children and young people.

• Children first starting school are below the expected levels of development.

• Almost one in three schoolchildren in Boscombe have English as a second language, compared to an average of eight per cent in Bournemouth.

• Life expectancy is worst in the borough – men live for 9.9 years less and women 6 years less on average in the ward compared with the least deprived parts of the borough.

• Only 77 per cent of residents feel safe in daylight.

The report was carried out by independent research specialists Drummond MacFarlane.