Young beachgoers are inhaling nitrous oxide balloons on an 'industrial scale' police have warned, as Bournemouth residents say they no longer feel safe amid surging crime rates, sex attacks and anti-social behaviour. 

More than 20 police officers have taken part in seaside patrols to try and stamp out the laughing gas epidemic currently gripping the Dorset holiday resort.

They have confiscated dozens of canisters containing laughing gas or 'hippy crack' from young beachgoers on the sand at Bournemouth beach. 

Police said the nitrous oxide gives the user a 'brief high' which leads to anti-social behaviour and disorder, often times disrupting others' beach experience.  

Increased seafront patrols come as hundreds flock to the coast seeking relief from the 40C 'heat dome' trapping the UK. 

But their efforts have done little to deter large groups from openly using the Class C drug just metres from young families. 

One group was seen passing around what appeared to be laughing gas balloons beside the pier on Wednesday, a hot-spot for anti-social behaviour.

A day earlier, others were seen passing shisha pipes next to toddlers on the beach. 

A strong smell of cannabis and the blaring drum and bass music is deterring families with young children from visiting the beach.

As a result, the popular holiday resort has acquired a 'wild west' reputation due to anti-social behaviour, violence and sex attacks. 

Last month, three police officers were injured by glass bottles being thrown by a group of up to 100 youths. 

Bournemouth mother Lydia Micro, who had to rescue her daughter from the throng, said the beach was no longer safe for families. 

'It's a jungle of people everywhere, there are hundreds and hundreds of children, early and late teens,' she said. 

'They are brawling, people are being pushed to the floor, bottles are being thrown.

'There is a lot of police presence. It is carnage. It's very frightening, especially when you have children there, so I went to get my daughter.

'She is absolutely fine but she will not be going back to Bournemouth beach again.'

Police say the groups of youths are 'confrontational' when stopped by police and don't appear to see anything wrong with their behaviour. 

Chief Superintendent Julie Howe said: 'During the summer we see a significant increase in visitors, and our neighbourhood teams are out and about tackling the crimes and issues that matter most to our communities.

'We enhance our resourcing where we see increased numbers of people, such as seafront areas and continue to work with our partners to be proactive in preventing and deterring disorder to keep our communities safe.

'The dedication, compassion and commitment to making a real difference, whether they are tackling local issues, supporting vulnerable people or simply being a visible and reassuring presence, is something I am extremely proud of, and I am grateful for the trust they continue to build with the communities we serve.'

Earlier this month, Bournemouth officials called for government clearance to make hotels and B&B owners charge guests a tax on top of their accommodation bills. 

Some locals say the town's character has been ruined by crime, youth disorder and pressure on services. Protests have also been held outside migrant hotels.

At one point, one of the town's asylum hotels was home to a group of migrants who were sentenced for violent crimes over just 10 days - earning Bournemouth the unfortunate moniker of the UK's 'most dangerous migrant town'.

The extra income from the tourist tax will go towards the ongoing costs of 'managing' the Dorset resort's popular beaches and seafront area during busy periods, including the appointment of more seafront rangers and investment in litter cleanup.

During the first week of June, council staff collected 83tonnes of waste - including tents, food packaging and empty cans and bottles - after everyone had gone home.

If the Lib Dem-run council gets government approval to introduce a levy, overnight visitors can expect to pay about £2 per person per night, meaning a week's holiday for a family of four will be £56 dearer.

One local who lives just along from the Britannia Hotel previously told the Mail: 'I've lived here since 2008 and I can say that Bournemouth has changed.'

Another said: 'I used to walk comfortably in the evening, but I don't go out now.'

But some of the asylum seekers in the town actually agree with local sentiment - having previously told this publication they would prefer to go home.

Jordanian asylum seeker Ahmad Hani felt so unsafe he called home, telling the Mail last October: 'I have spoken to the Home Office to go back to my country.

'There is too much crime. Police don't help any people here in Bournemouth.

'Some people living in the hotel don't have any feelings for animals, people or children. Some are dangerous in the hotel, they are seriously bad people.'