DRUG dealing and violence are making life "hellish" for people living near an Oxford community centre.

Residents say life near the East Oxford Community Centre, in Princes Street, has been difficult recently, as problems with people using the centre's social club have grown.

None of the residents living near the centre was prepared to be named.

One said: "Things have been hellish. You name it, it's happening right outside our front door. We've witnessed drug deals, people openly smoking dope in the street, underage drinking, fighting, urinating, vomiting.

"It really is intimidating and threatening behaviour which we just shouldn't have to put up with. We've even had people sitting in our front garden doing drug deals.

"It's awful - and no one seems to be taking responsibility for it. We've complained and complained and written scores of letters, but without results."

Another resident said: "I'm regularly woken up by screaming and shouting coming from around the centre. In the summer you could never have your windows open. There just seems to be no end of problems related to the centre and we've had enough.

"We're sick and tired of our quality of life being affected like this."

The issue was raised at a recent meeting at which East Oxford residents were invited to tell police about problems affecting the area.

Inspector Andy Talbot, who oversees neighbourhood policing across Oxford, said: "We are in the process of setting up a Neighbourhood Action Group whose first meeting will be on October 3. Once that is set up we will then start problem solving. Residents can be assured that we are aware of the problems such as the one in Princes Street and we will update them with progress reports.

"We have listened to their concerns. People have told us that antisocial behaviour is a priority, so we will focus on that.

"We will then be asking people if they think things have got better."

The community centre is owned by Oxford City Council. A council spokesman said: "We allow community associations to run community activities from the centres, but the social club side is nothing to do with us."

No one at the community centre was available for comment.