DRUG dealers on bikes are delivering class As to addicts in a Bournemouth underpass, according to those living nearby.

The Lowther Road underpass is a "drug dealing haven", it was heard at a public meeting last week.

Dealers ride bikes to the walkway, but keep their "main stock" elsewhere, it was said.

It was also claimed that land close to the Tesco Express and Aldi in Holdenhurst Road has turned into a "begging, shoplifting, drug dealing centre", with drugs being sold in a nearby phone box.

Police say the claims, made in an email to organisers of the public meeting, are not backed up by reports.

Paul Prince, of Ophir Road in Bournemouth, said he was told of the scale of the problem by a local business owner.

"He can see it all from his flat at night - all the urination going on behind Tesco," Mr Prince said.

"It's putting Tesco in a terrible position.

"A lot of it is around the phone box at the front.

"You can see them dealing."

Mark Elkins, who chaired the meeting of residents from Springbourne and the East Cliff, said he had visited Holdenhurst Road himself since becoming aware of the problem.

While he didn't see any dealing, he told participants: "That's not to say it's not an issue.

"I did see someone begging right in front of the cashpoint, and then opposite Aldi three dubious characters hanging about by a wall," he said.

"There is obviously some kind of issue."

Sergeant Ashley White of Dorset Police said there have been no reports of drug activity near Tesco since at least December 2017.

"I've done some research, and there was a bit of an issue back at the end of the summer last year," she said.

"Since December 1, there have been 10 calls relating to that Tesco, none of which are related to anti-social behaviour.

"Two were traffic accidents, five were reports of shoplifting, two were concerns for welfare and one was found property.

"I'm not saying it's not happening but no one is calling in to report it."