A SUSPECTED drug dealer has been arrested in a Bournemouth park after residents made repeated complains about criminal activity.

The man arrested at Winton Recreation Ground is alleged to have been in possession of "numerous wraps of class A drugs and a large amount of cash", police claim.

Ward councillor Pat Oakley said the park is known locally for attracting dealers.

"I've been aware there were suspected drug dealers at Winton Rec for some time now," he said.

"We've all been keeping police informed. Everytime residents see something, they're reporting it.

"It certainly seems to be a problem of modern society, and it's really, really disappointing for residents of Winton to have to see it.

"It's not unusual to walk through the rec and smell cannabis smoke. It's been smoked quite openly during the day."

Cllr Oakley said people of a range of ages are behind problems in the park.

"It's not young people exclusively - it's a general issue," he said.

In 2016, Bournemouth councillors, Dorset Police officers and student representatives from Bournemouth University led a crackdown on prostitution and dealing in parks across the borough.

One of the parks targeted through the scheme was Winton Rec.

Cllr Oakley said he had received many reports about issues at the site. Dealers sold drugs at Pine Park, of Green Road, he said.

"Not a week goes by now when I do not receive a complaint from residents of drug needles in the play parks, groups of drug and alcohol abusers, homeless people sleeping rough," he said.

"It is really concerning and shocking to hear the local mums complaining that their children are playing next to syringes and alcoholics.

"It's time Winton's parks were returned to the children and these unwanted visitors are kept away."

Residents told the Daily Echo they had found heroin at a children's playground. One child went to the public toilets and saw people taking drugs.

Council officials said Winton is a "priority area" for the community enforcement team.