DRUG offences in Fulham Broadway have soared by nearly 100 per cent in the past year, while robbery in the North End ward has also seen a significant increase, according to new figures.

There were 12 drug crimes per 1,000 of population in the year leading to May, up from 6.3 in the previous 12 months, an increase of 90%. Borough-wide, drug arrests were up 23%.

While robbery in the borough also fell by 16 per cent, it hiked up by 18% in North End.

Residents raised the issues at a crime roadshow in Fulham last week, where dog fouling and anti-social behaviour, particularly on the Clem Attlee Estate, were also flagged up.

Diane Hall, who lives on the estate, said: "The kids sit in the stairwells of the estate bored and disinterested. The local authorities should give the youngsters more attention before they turn bad and go down the wrong road in life."

Lynne Jackson, 63, of Mendora Road, said: "People need to clean up after their dogs in the street. Even with the warning signs and special bins that they have put up, people continue to let their dogs run amok. On another note, I do feel safe as I walk around the area. Despite the fact I was burgled last year, I still feel at ease and generally do not worry for my safety."

Police superintendent Mike Hill conceded drug arrests had gone up but claimed this was due to a more proactive policy from officers. He said anti-social behaviour was down and the North End corridor drug problem had been eradicated, partly because of effective use of CCTV.

The council provides eight additional police constables in Fulham Broadway as part of a £5m package of extra spending on town centre beat police.

Deputy Leader Greg Smith said: "This is a low crime area and we will fight to keep it that way. There were a number of problems with licensed premises such as Havana and Belushi’s in the past but these bars have now shut down and the eight extra police constables we have provided have helped to keep things calm and orderly in the Fulham Broadway town centre."

The meeting was the latest in a series of localised crime-fighting road shows that are touring the borough.