AN OPERATION targeting slum landlords in Boscombe is to come under review.

Funding for Op Galaxy, a partnership between Dorset Police and Bournemouth council, currently comes to an end in March next year.

Officers from the force have reaffirmed their commitment to the initiative.

A police spokesperson said: "Funding for Operation Galaxy is in place till the end of March 2018 and as such Bournemouth Borough Council, in partnership with Dorset Police, remain very much focused and committed to its on-going delivery in its current form.

"Options for the future of the project are under consideration."

Hundreds of properties housing vulnerable residents have been inspected as part of the initiative.

Enforcement action has been taken against landlords to ensure they meet regulations.

Dedicated officers have also been targeting problematic houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in Boscombe.

Properties identified as having a negative impact have been visited.

Councillor Jane Kelly, Bournemouth council cabinet member for regeneration and public health, said: "I absolutely support the operation, 100 per cent.

"It has been the most fantastic project.

"It has had some great results in helping particularly vulnerable tenants who would otherwise have been behind closed doors and feeling unable complain for various reasons, or maybe not even realising that they can complain.

"It has brought those people to our attention so we can get them appropriate help by signposting services or sometimes even rehousing them."

The councillor, who also represents Boscombe, said the operation has led to an improvement in housing standards, as well as supporting those with mental health issues or addiction problems.

"The other great merit of the project is that it has shown us there's a lot more going on than we had originally realised," she said.

"It's given a lot of weight to our objections to HMOs being created in the area when that's necessary."