ABUSIVE adults who risk ruining a Bournemouth beauty spot will be targeted by park rangers and police officers this summer.

Rangers at Hengistbury Head will be carrying out patrols with police and community support officers after repeated incidents of low-level abuse.

They say previous attempts to try and tackle problems of antisocial behaviour, ranging from dog fouling to illegal barbecues, have either been ignored or resulted in rangers being verbally abused.

Together with officers from the Southbourne safer neighbourhood team, they will be particularly focusing on littering, dog fouling, barbecue users and people who illegally use motorbikes or mopeds within the Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Mark Holloway, senior countryside officer for Bournemouth council, said: "Hengistbury Head is so popular and attracts so many visitors that there is plenty of scope for some abuse. Unfortunately, people do not necessarily want to do what they are being asked to do.

"A lot of it is low-level abuse and it's from adults, rather than teenagers. That is why we want to have a bit more back-up from the police in very much a community way."

He said rangers worked informally with police last year with great success, adding: "If you're dealing with a member of the public, having a police constable present makes life a lot easier."

PC Rob Bentall said: "The team undertook joint patrols with the park rangers during the summer months last year, which proved successful in reducing incidents of antisocial behaviour in the area.

"The park rangers play a vital role in preserving Hengistbury Head for resident, visitors and future generations, and we hope our support will enable them to continue to maintain the area to a high standard."