RESIDENTS will demand to know why crime is so bad in one particular Bournemouth neighbourhood during a public meeting next month.

The next Springbourne and East Cliff Residents' Meeting will look at the issue of trouble in the area.

Meeting coordinator Mark Elkins said: "The main agenda will be based around the question, 'Why are the police crime map figures for this area so high in relation to all other parts of the BCP Council wards, apart from Bournemouth central?'.

"The aim of asking the question at the meeting is to get a better understanding of why the figures are so high for the area, and to explore ways of reducing them."

Currently, the area's crime statistics are counted along with Boscombe West's, he said. However, even once Boscombe West is excluded, the area is worse than anywhere else in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole for crime, with the exception of the town centre, Mr Elkins added.

The meeting will take place at the East Cliff United Reformed Church opposite Asda from 7pm until 9pm on Wednesday, October 2.

All residents of the Springbourne and East Cliff areas are invited to attend.

Earlier meetings have considered crime against businesses, drug problems and prostitution, as well as ways to enhance the area.