PEOPLE living on the seafront are today calling for more police action to stop anti-social behaviour from late-night and early-hours revellers.

Ipswich Star: Sgt James Harper, of Felixstowe police.Sgt James Harper, of Felixstowe police. (Image: Archant)

Householders living around Bent Hill say the unsavoury antics of drinkers are making their lives a misery and wrecking the neighbourhood.

Ipswich Star: Small plastic bags and cigarette papers found at the Gulpher Pond parking area in Felixstowe.Small plastic bags and cigarette papers found at the Gulpher Pond parking area in Felixstowe. (Image: Archant)

They have handed police chiefs and councillors a list of bad behaviour they have recorded – including drug dealing, drunkenness, vandalism to cars and other property, fighting, noise, sexual activity in gardens and doorways, vomiting, foul language, under-age drinking, theft, and urinating and defecating.

They told of witnessing vandalism of the fountain in south cliff gardens, drugs being handed over in Jubilee Shelter, endured front doors being kicked, and having to clean up sick and other mess after Friday and Saturday nights.

One homeowner said he called 999 about a fight involving 14 people but claimed that five hours later no police had attended.

The newly-formed Bent Hill and Seafront Area Residents’ Association is calling for a “problem area” designation to force licensees to pay compensation for damage and anti-social behaviour.

Speaking at Felixstowe and District Safer Neighbourhood Team’s community panel, Sgt James Harper urged householders to call 999 when witnessing crimes, and to ensure all matters were reported so they could be recorded.

Reporting trouble would help build a body of evidence needed if action was to be taken under new licensing laws.

Sgt Harper said shift changes had been introduced to treble the number of police on duty on weekend nights to ensure a presence on the seafront and also on revellers’ routes home to quell trouble.

He said: “A lot of hard work and a lot of thought goes into the way this area is policed and there is a policing plan in place. I do understand people’s frustration.

“For us to deal with some of the things being highlighted, we need a call there and then on the night. I appreciate that is happening sometimes, but we need it fed into us so we can respond.”