LOCALS living in a drug-ravaged town that borders on a millionaire’s playground say kids have to avoid sitting on dealers’ benches.
The seaside spot has long been known for its substance issues, but residents say the problems have only gotten worse as the years have gone on.
Boscombe, in Bournemouth, has even been labelled the ‘drug capital of the south’, and ranks as one of the most deprived areas in the UK.
It’s a stark contrast to the likes of nearby Sandbanks and Southbourne, where million-pound mansions aren’t uncommon.
Residents say it’s not unusual to see drug deals in broad daylight, and youngsters even know to avoid plonking themselves in certain seats or walking near a specific church.
And after years of smelling cannabis as they walk along the high street – and fearing walking alone at night – those living nearby want to see a change.
One retired couple claimed they often saw queues of people trying to buy opioids snaking the streets.
The Boscombe pair, who did not want to be named, told The Sun: “There’s drug abuse and social deprivation and then you come across these beautiful houses not far away that nobody is living in and they’re locked up for winter because they are holiday lets.
“There’s a huge divide between places like Boscombe and Sandbanks, I think you often get the richest in society and the poorest living cheek by jowl.”
They continued: “Our neighbour smokes hash all day every day, it permeates the walls.
“Even in the street, you don’t have to walk far and you can smell it. Lots of people seem to be doing it out in the open in the street.
“When you go into the chemists you can very obviously see the methadone queue.”
Linda McGuinness, who has called the area home for decades, said something needs to change – and quick.
The 74-year-old carer said: “It’s really gone downhill.
“This used to be a lovely place but now it is spoilt by people doing drugs.
“You can see them dealing by the church and you can’t walk up and down the high street without the smell of cannabis.
“I wouldn’t feel safe walking here at night.”
One woman who has lived in the area for 45 years said it has deteriorated before her eyes.
The woman, who didn’t want to be named, said: “You do feel on edge when you come into town.
“There’s a lot of people begging. And there’s certain benches that if you sit on them the drug dealers will approach you – my son told me not to sit on a certain bench when waiting for the bus.
“It’s sad to see. You do sometimes see needles in the car park. Boscombe has always been known for it. They are supposed to be improving it.”
Meanwhile, Labour Councillor George Farquhar, who represents the East Boscombe and Pokesdown ward, said he thought the area was indeed “improving”.
But he admitted there were still issues, adding: “I do daily litter picks and find discarded needles and home-made bongs, but I am finding less than before.
“I remember three years ago seeing a drug deal in broad daylight in the gardens and reporting it to the police.
“But, while there still is a drugs problem here, my gut feeling is that the picture in Boscombe is improving simply because the police and other agencies are making a concerted effort to intercept county lines.”
Resident Jo Valinski agreed.
She said: “There’s a stigma about Boscombe having a drug problem but I do think things are worse in Bournemouth town centre.
“I think there are a high number of rehab clinics in the area which will bring people who use drugs here but you don’t see lots of people who are high on drugs walking around.”
Dorset Police said it is working hard to try to get substances off the streets – with 26 drug-related arrests in the last nine months.
Chief Inspector Darren Harris, of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, told The Sun: “We fully recognise the impact drug supply and related activity has on our local communities and we continue to do all we can to identify those involved in the supply chain and disrupt their operations.
“We appreciate that tackling the use of drugs in our communities is not something police can do in isolation and we continue to work with our partners.”
The Chief Inspector added the force had started up new programmes and operations to focus on drug-related crimes and issues.
He continued: “We are indebted to our local communities for providing information and intelligence that can assist us with these efforts and would urge anyone with information relating to drug supply or drug-related activities in their area to please report it to police.
“These reports can help us to direct our patrols to priority areas and ensure there is an increased police presence and where offences are identified, we will take positive action.
“Anyone with information regarding drug-related activity in their area is urged to report it to us at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101.
“If a crime is in progress, always dial 999.”
