DRUG abuse in the Eastleigh police division is low compared with other parts of the country, a public meeting in Chandler's Ford was told.

Police were quizzed at a special public consultation meeting staged by Hampshire Police Authority about what they were doing about drugs and alcohol in Chandler's Ford.

"It seems to be getting worse," said a member of the public.

However, Eastleigh based Chief Insp Jill Baldry said that while the matter was a priority for the police it was an issue that was "not as big in Eastleigh as anywhere else in the country".

She told the meeting: "It is one of our priorities because behind the drugs issue is the burglary and theft from vehicles. It is an issue that we target and brief on a daily basis."

The chief inspector said they worked on a proactive intelligence-led policing system and encouraged people to report information to them.

She also told the meeting that One-Stop had introduced an over- 21s policy over the sale of alcohol completely of its own volition and described the move as a "huge bonus".

Police spokesman Alan Smith said the youth service was also proactive in the field.

However, he added: "They are trying to work very closely with the schools but, unfortunately, there are some schools who close their doors and won't allow them to educate about the problems and dangers of drugs."

He added that a recent survey had indicated that drugs were not a main problem in Eastleigh.