STEPS have been made to curtail anti-social behaviour in and around a South Ham park.

Residents living around Russell Howard Park are increasingly concerned over what they fear is the amount of drug deals and anti-social activity happening around the park.

However, ward councillors met with Hampshire Constabulary’s neighbourhood policing team earlier this month to discuss what more can be done to make residents feel safer in the area.

As a result of the meeting, councillors say there will be more weekend patrols around the area from officers and PCSOs.

South Ham ward councillor Colin Regan, said the meeting was the result the ward needed.

On Wednesday last week, he said: “The meeting was very positive.

“From this weekend there will be more patrols and officers will be giving more face-to-face reassurance to residents.

“We have wanted more investment in South Ham and this is a positive step forward and assurance from the police.”

As well as more face-to-face interaction, Cllr Regan said there will be a poster campaign around the park advising residents how to report anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Regan added: “We understand the cuts to the police force due to the amount of austerity, but we have wanted investment in South Ham for a long time and it has been a long summer dealing with issues around the area.

“Now residents will hopefully be able to feel a bit safer.”

Residents have been given advice on how to report any anti-social activity in the area by noting 10 vital description points.

These are the person’s ethnicity, approximate age, gender, approximate height, body type, hairstyle and colour, complexion, any distinguishing features, clothing and whether they were carrying any objects.