A conference on the future of Boscombe has been organised for October 12.

The initiative, by Bournemouth East MP, Tobias Ellwood has come in the wake of last week’s London drugs gang murder in a flat in Roumelia Lane.

Mr Ellwood said the conference will look at what can be done to ensure the events are not repeated.

He said: “It is critical that the community comes together and agrees a way forward to tackle the challenges.”

The MP said he hoped the meeting would look at: l Whether Bournemouth can introduce a cap on the number of drug rehabilitation centres allowed to operate in the borough l How the offloading by other councils of benefit claimants can be brought into check l Whether Dorset Police have the resources to quash the development of gangs taking an interest in and operating in the town.

Mr Ellwood said recent activities of London and Somali gangs in the town was disturbing.

A number of key agencies and community organisations have been invited to the conference at the Town Hall.

Meanwhile, leader of Bournemouth Council, Cllr John Beesley said the town remains a ‘relatively safe place to live’ and there do not appear to be grounds for concern for public safety.

He said he had met with the Chief Constable in the past week.

“We have been reassured about the focus and resources being deployed by the police to deal with the issues that are of greatest concern to the public.”