Photo: The Canadian Press

A campground patron leaves Goldstream Campground as the provincial government assesses the situation with former Tent City residents who are living at the campground in Langford.

Officials are reporting a spike in crime after a tent city was set up in a Vancouver Island provincial campground.

Police say they have an extensive log of complaints and calls for service linked to the tent city at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford.

Campers moved into the park last Tuesday and the calls include a break and enter attempt at a house near the park, an outstanding warrant, theft of firewood and open drug use.

Police said park rangers have also received reports from campers not associated to the tent city group of theft from other campsites, damage to the park's gate and more complaints of drug use in public washrooms.

"It's a little bit frustrating. It's not that it makes me mad, because there also is people in there not on their own terms, but for the people making decisions to put themselves there, it's a little bit frustrating," said neighbour Lucas Crowther. "Especially to be living here my whole life, this is my daily walk and all of a sudden I'm being told that I can't."

In a Friday news release, West Shore RCMP said an early morning sweep of the camp turned up several needles strewn on the ground, including an uncapped syringe.

The camp leader, known as Ms. Brett, told police the campers would regularly canvass the park and pick up any needles they find.

Police plan on increasing patrols in the park.

- with files from CTV Vancouver