BOURNEMOUTH residents are becoming increasing concerned over amount of litter and alleged drug activity at Meyrick Park as a result of numerous homeless people camping in tents in the surrounding woodland.

It is alleged that several dogs have fallen ill after eating human waste laced with drugs.

Locals have said the area now resembles a “poorly managed campsite” with numerous people sleeping in tents in the woods surrounding the golf course near the park and a number of individuals sleeping in vehicles in the car park on central drive near the rugby fields.

BCP Council say there are working with homeless charity St Mungo’s, who said they will look into the issue as part of their daily outreach and offer “support and guidance to help provide accommodation” for these people.

Abi Armstrong, who lives close to Meyrick Park, said: “Meyrick park and the surrounding areas are starting to resemble a poorly managed camp site with many users of the park being deterred from visiting.

“I can only assume that the tents are being occupied by a combination of homeless and drug addicts, due to the type of debris that is being left behind and the related issues.

“The camps, and those sleeping in their vehicles, are creating a number of problems, for visitors and regular users of the park, which include a combination of families, dog walkers and golfers.”

Residents and visitors have also raised issues on the use of drugs in the area and the levels of rubbish, drug paraphernalia, syringes and human faeces left around these encampment, which is deterring people from visiting the park.

It is claimed that a number of dogs have been poisoned after visiting the park, which the council denies.

She added: “One local vets has had seven cases where dogs have had to be put on drips to save their lives after eating human faeces laced with drugs, all of which had visited Meyrick Park.

“I wonder how many other cases local vets have seen and how long it’s going to be before one of these dogs sadly lose their life as a result of these issues?”

The council have said they will take a manage and monitor approach and will not go down an “enforcement route apart from in extreme problem cases”.

Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing, BCP Council said: “We are aware of some tents at Meyrick Park and St Mungo’s will follow this up as part of their daily outreach. BCP Council commissions the homelessness charity St Mungo’s to deliver a street outreach service.

“This means that they are out daily across the BCP area and are in regular contact with anyone rough sleeping, proactively offering support and guidance to help provide accommodation and bring people inside.”