A GUN club site which has been blighted by anti-social behaviour and drug dealing problems is attempting to ramp up security measures.

Various issues have reportedly come to the fore at Parkstone Gun Club in recent months, including a neighbour having a bathroom window "shattered by youths using a catapult".

An application from Parkstone Gun Club has been submitted to BCP Council to erect a 2.4-metre high security fence around the building off Haskells Road.

A statement submitted in support of the plan said: "We have been experiencing a noticeable increase in anti-social behaviour recently.

"Our storage container was broken in to, items were stolen, tins of paint were thrown around the area and, on the structure, causing considerable damage.

"A neighbour has had her bathroom window shattered by youths using a catapult. To achieve this, they used access around the side of the building.

"However, the issue of most concern is the constant use behind our storage unit as an area where drug selling and use are continually happening."

Parkstone Gun Club, which was established in 1957, features a 25-yard indoor range for centre fire, small bore and air guns.

If approved, the plans would see green metal fencing, often seen around schools and community centres, installed around the site.

The gun club said that new security fencing would allow it to extend its CCTV coverage, which would benefit local authorities.

Their statement added: "The police are aware of what is going on and have issued crime numbers.

"There is a police initiative to try and help with the situation. As Parkstone is becoming an area of escalating ASB, under Operation Relentless, they have created a fund to help organisations such as ours to provide extra security and prevention measures.

"The fire service are also keen to get this project under way having had multiple call outs to fires maliciously set in the immediate vicinity."

The application is currently being considered by BCP Council's planning department. Residents have until March 31 to comment on the scheme through the local authority's planning portal.