DRUG deals, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage are just some of the issues residents near a park claim to be confronted by on a regular basis.

South Ham residents have criticised the authorities for neglecting Russell Howard Park, believing it has been made an unsafe environment and a “hive for criminal activity”.

People living in the area told The Gazette that the issues have dated back for years and claim neither Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council or Hampshire Constabulary are doing anything about it.

Marcus Simpson, who has lived in Howard View for 19 years, said he had been directly targeted by a group of young people “causing trouble” around the sports pavilion in the park.

Mr Simpson said: “There is no deterrent put in place and the borough council and PCSOs don’t seem to be doing anything to address the issue.

“I came down stairs on Sunday [September 2] morning to a stone thrown through my window, it’s the second time this has happened in five months.

“These young people just hang around in big groups and with drug dealers hanging around as well, it is very intimidating, and it has got to the point where I am having to consider moving house.”

South Ham ward councillor Colin Regan said he is due to have a meeting with officers today to put pressure on them to make sure action is being taken.

He said: “There is a problem in the park and we are trying to put pressure on the police and the borough council’s patrol officers that more needs to be done.

“We want them to focus more on South Ham. With the long hot summer, there are more people using the park and it has unfortunately become a hive for criminal activity.”

Residents are calling for CCTV to be installed around the sports pavilion to act as a deterrent or implement dispersal orders.

The borough council said it is currently looking at solutions, along with the Westside Community Association, regarding the concerns raised.

Cabinet member for communities and community safety at the borough council, Cllr Simon Bound said: “Antisocial behaviour of any form is unacceptable and through the Safer North Hampshire community safety partnership and with our partners Hampshire Constabulary we will review the concerns raised.”

“We will also work with the local community through the activities at Westside Community Centre and the priorities of the South Ham Community Plan to look at local solutions to those concerns.”

In response, Hampshire Constabulary has said residents will see more of a police presence in the coming weeks.

A spokesman from the force said: “We are aware of reports of anti-social behaviour in Russell Howard Park and our neighbourhood policing team is working hard to address these concerns. Anti-social behaviour is not an issue which the police can solve in isolation, and we are working with our partners, such as Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and housing associations, to address these issues.

“People who live in this area can expect to see increased police activity over the coming weeks. We are also keen for residents to report incidents to us. If people have concerns about anti-social behaviour, don’t assume that others will report it – so please contact us.”

Residents who are concerned about anti-social behaviour should report it at hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/asb/antisocial-behaviour.