CARS left in a private car park in Boscombe are being used for drug deals, according to residents.

One of the vehicles, a battered blue Citroen Saxo, has reportedly been parked at 4 Cecil Road since June, while the other, a red Ford Fiesta, arrived a couple of weeks ago.

Residents say drug dealers are using the cars to make deals, with some people actually taking crack cocaine within them. Some addicts are also sleeping in the vehicles.

Dorset Police has said it is arranging to have one of the vehicles removed.

Cecil Road resident Lee Stacey, 41, said he had contacted the force back in August about the problem.

"I love Boscombe, that is why I moved here, and I don't think this is typical," he said. "Unfortunately the car just turned up one night and our car park has become a regular hot spot for drug dealing.

"There was a bloke sleeping in it when it first arrived and this other bloke visited him over the next few nights, and they were lighting up crack pipes together and just chilling, which was nice."

Mr Stacey said the men associated with the car had tried to intimidate him.

"I have been stared down in the car park by crack dealers," he said.

"I don't find it particularly frightening but there is an elderly lady living in the building who would probably find it very different.

"There are quite a few elderly people and a family with kids.

"I have called police been informed officers will come and check out the situation but nobody has got back to me."

Sergeant Lee Tharme, of East Bournemouth police, said the force takes drug related activity "seriously" and urged residents who witness it to get in touch.

"The incidents are connected to a vehicle which is parked on private land and we have been liaising with the landlord and managing agents at the location to arrange for it to be removed from the land as soon as possible.

"We are currently working with local partners as well as local landlords and residents in Cecil Road and the surrounding area to provide long term improvements aimed at reducing opportunities for crime and the fear of crime among residents."