POLICE have stepped up patrols after a residents’ association chairman said he was threatened with a knife while walking his dog.

The leader of Bournemouth council, John Beesley, has commended the actions of police and council staff in tackling the problems of anti-social behaviour and litter in the West Cliff Green area.

Cllr Beesley said: “I have been involved in the area as a councillor for the last 35 years and I’m delighted to see the police and council responding quickly, efficiently and thoroughly to ensure the amenities do not get misused.”

Chris Colledge, 54, who is also the area’s neighbourhood watch co-ordinator, said a man camping at the clifftop beauty spot recently threatened to knife him after Mr Colledge asked him to clear away his litter.

Chris said: “I am very relieved that the police have finally taken on board my suggestion that we need more police patrols in the area.

“We had another incident at the weekend where people threw burning coals over the side of the cliff and the whole area could have caught ablaze if the firefighters hadn’t arrived so quickly.

“This episode just epitomises that we really do need more patrols to tackle the problem head-on.”

Mr Colledge, chairman of the West Cliff Green Residents’ Association, said he received an email from Sergeant Dave Moore which stated the green would be patrolled more by police officers.

Mr Colledge said was also told the man had been arrested in connection with another incident.

An email from Sergeant Dave Moore to Chris said: “I can assure you that we have increased our patrols on the green.

“I commend you for approaching the tent to ask them to clear up their mess.

“However, it clearly shows the type of people who are using the green area to sleep.

“The West Cliff green has also been included on the early morning wakeup list that I spoke about at your meeting.”