COMMUTERS using Bournemouth Travel Interchange are being intimidated by the growing numbers of rough sleepers onsite, it has emerged.

Passengers say up to a dozen homeless people regularly sleep by the coach station toilets, and despite police moving them on they often return to drink and cause anti-social behaviour.

Nearby businesses have reported drunken abuse hurled at women passing by and even threats of violence.

A recent day of action at the travel interchange, led by Dorset Police, resulted in 14 dispersal notices issued, five drugs searches, five injunctions and two criminal behaviour orders.

Police neighbourhood Sergeant Billy Bulloch, who works the Bournemouth central patch, said: “We are aware of this issue and the potential anti-social behaviour associated with it.

“It is a priority for us to ensure that members of the community and local businesses feel safe and are reassured that we are tackling this issue alongside partner agencies."

Meanwhile, Bournemouth Borough Council East Cliff & Springbourne ward Cllr Michael Filer said: "This is something that is not wanted, either socially for the homeless or, in respect of tourism, for visitors arriving in the town.

"I know that a lot of hard work is being put into finding accommodation and everybody would welcome the station being clear of this situation, the sooner the better."

Up to a dozen rough sleepers often spend the night by the public toilets, which remain locked - even for early morning commuters - until normal office hours.

One worker, who asked not to be named, told the Daily Echo: "Some of the comments I've heard being made to women walking by have been disgusting. I've also been threatened with being stabbed, after asking them to stop begging from customers.

"The tramps we used to get here were quite decent, you didn't mind giving them a cup of tea in the morning. But they've been chased out by this lot. Some of them are vile to be honest.

"The general public are intimidated by them. They sit there drinking, some of the ones here at the moment get quite aggressive, quite nasty."

Other commuters told the Echo similar stories of antisocial behaviour.

One coach passenger said: "It is quite frightening, something that would really put me off coming to travel from here."

Bournemouth council's senior housing manager Kelly Ansell said reducing anti-social behaviour in the borough is one of the council's key priorities.

She added: "There is a designated public place order throughout the whole of Bournemouth which gives the police discretionary powers to confiscate alcohol in public places."

Dorset Police have carried out two specific operations at the interchange over the last four weeks, alongside Bournemouth council’s crime reduction initiative, the rough sleepers team, town rangers and the street cleansing team.

“In addition to these operations, Dorset Police have, and will continue to, tackle such issues as part of our daily business – including the early morning wake ups and a high level of interaction with the groups we are targeting," said Sgt Bulloch.