Swanmore Gardens facing drugs and anti-social behaviour issues

The bowls team called time on its use of Swanmore Gardens in September last year and the pavilion was handed back to the council but has since remained unused.

With the space used less frequently, BCP Council has linked this to a rise of anti-social behaviour.

As a result, the council has introduced a 'curfew' alongside working with the neighbourhood police team to address the issue.

Neighbourhood Inspector for East Bournemouth, Helen Deakin, told the Daily Echo: “We are committed to working with our partners and tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) issues that impact our local communities.

“We are aware of reports of ASB linked to minor criminal damage and reported drug-related activity in the area of Swanmore Gardens and have been liaising with the local authority on this.

“Officers have been carrying out high visibility patrols in the area and engaging with all members of the public using the open space.”

The local authority has put up signage asking any visitors to leave the premises by 10.30pm during the summer months.

This is in an effort to reduce noise and nuisance on the site, with homes in the vicinity, the notice says.

A BCP Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of anti-social behaviour around the bowling green, which occurs when a space is less frequently used.

“We are working with the police around this.

“The parks service continue to undertake routine parks and building maintenance, such as the additional maintenance from the Community Payback team, however, the bowling green is no longer maintained.”

Although the bowling club closed last year, the tennis courts remain active via the ‘Tennis in the Park’ scheme through the West Hants Club.

The council is, however, currently investigating alternative uses for both the bowling green and the pavilion in the future.