A BOURNEMOUTH resident has resorted to chopping down a tree in her back garden in an effort to stop drug dealing in the alleyway by her house.

Carolyn Clark, from Capstone Road, Charminster, said the area was plagued by the problem.

She said: “This alleyway is known as locally and by the police as 'Heroin Alley', we are all experiencing problems with drug dealers and drug users because they have an ideal crossing point here.

“The tree was providing shelter from the sun and the rain, it was overhanging the alley way and groups of people would meet there. We’ve already had to rebuild the fence because it was kicked in and smashed up.

“On a daily basis, there’s noise, arguments, littering and a constant smell of weed. My children would be walking home from school down the alleyway, and they’d come in and they’d tell me there’s a group of three people out there one of them is tying one’s leg up, one of them is getting the needle ready or they’re actually shooting up out there or there’s people smoking weed.

“They’re 15 years old and they could be drawn into it and I don’t want that, they’ve lived with it basically all their life.

Ms Clark highlighted that one side of the Spur Road falls under Bournemouth East Neighbourhood Policing Team and the other falls under Bournemouth North. 

She added: “They say they come around and they do more spot checks in the area but you don’t see it and its not somewhere that the police would happen to be driving past.

“We’re in no mans land and that’s how it feels.”

In January 2021 the government announced ‘Project ADDER’ and a £148 million investment, aiming to protect communities from crime caused by illegal drugs.

The Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick is currently lobbying for a share of this government funding.

He said: “As national co-lead for alcohol and substance abuse, I am determined to tackle the problem of illegal drug use in Dorset.

“I am very aware of how project ADDER is working in pilot areas across the country and I will continue to lobby Government for the project to be extended.

“It is vital that we tackle drug crime and that’s why I have set a priority in my Police and Crime Plan to fight violent crime and high harm.

“I want to fight organised crime, particularly the county lines gangs who thrive by not only selling hard drugs in our towns but by exploiting those children and young people they drag into their supply chains.

“I want Dorset to be the last place that these evil gangs want to operate.”

Ms Clark says: “It was a very reassuring talk that he gave but actions speak louder than words.”

Neighbourhood Inspector Danny Tamblyn, of North Bournemouth Police, said: “We are aware of reports of drug-related activity in the Capstone Road area of Bournemouth and have been liaising with residents about the issue.

“The impact this kind of activity can have on the local community is detrimental and we will be doing all we can to tackle this behaviour. Targeting drug-related anti-social behaviour (ASB) also forms a big part of the Force’s Operation Relentless ASB campaign, which aims to drive down ASB in our communities.

“Our neighbourhood policing teams work closely together across the whole of Bournemouth to share information and intelligence.

“Officers will take positive action on intelligence received and will be carrying out targeted patrols in the area where they can be approached by anyone with any concerns.

“We and our partners are working hard to tackle drug-related crime and would encourage members of the public to come forward with any specific information, including time, date, location and any other descriptive information they have regarding drug offences in their community.

“Drug dealing and drug-related offences will not be tolerated by Dorset Police and any information you give us can help to build a wider intelligence picture for the area.”