POLICE have pledged to clamp down on criminals who travel to Bournemouth specifically to deal drugs.

They stressed the town is not "a soft touch" and that robust action will be taken against offenders.

Officers spoke out after London-based dealer Abdul Marah was jailed for 32 months after being caught dealing in heroin and cocaine in the Lansdowne area.

PC Stuart Grant, of Bournemouth police, said: "Officers continue to carry out proactive work in Bournemouth town centre to target drug dealers operating in the area. Some dealers specifically target Bournemouth believing it to be a good place to travel to and sell drugs.

"However, I hope this case and the sentence handed out by the court will send out a very strong message that we are not a soft touch, we have operations ongoing here and we will take robust action."

Marah, 24, of Colegrove Road, London was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

The court heard that on Friday July 14, two officers from Bournemouth central neighbourhood policing team wearing plain clothes were carrying out a search in the Lansdowne area after receiving a report of a man acting suspiciously and possibly dealing drugs.

They identified Marah as matching the description of the man given. He was seen to speak to a second man before the pair disappeared into an alleyway off Old Christchurch Road.

As the officers entered the alleyway, they saw the second man walk out. They also spotted Marah attempting to conceal a wrapped package down the front of his trousers.

As Marah was detained, the package dropped onto the floor. It was later found to contain a quantity of wraps believed to be heroin and crack cocaine. During a search, Marah was also found to be carrying approximately £1,000 and two mobile phones. A second package also containing drugs was found in his trouser leg.

Anyone with information about drug dealing is asked to call Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.