Crime in Burnham-On-Sea has fallen 12.6% over the past year, residents were told by police this week when officers held their quarterly community meeting in the town.
Over 30 members of the public attended Thursday’s PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting at the Town Council chambers in Jaycroft Road.
Sgt Ian Kennett said that in Burnham there had been 200 arrests in the last four months and 150 speeding tickets had been issued, however overall crime had fallen 12.6%, which equates to 252 fewer incidents than last year.
He added that there had been four incidents in Abingdon Street since the last PACT meeting, when local residents had highlighted anti-social behaviour problems along the road.
Sgt Kennett said new CCTV cameras and a number plate recognition camera are due to be introduced in Burnham and Highbridge before the summer to further combat anti-social behaviour and put off criminals visiting our area. He added that 30 per cent of all crime is committed by criminals from outside the area.
PC Martin Davis told the meeting that dispersal orders had been used 35 times in the town since being implemented last autumn.
He said that while these have now been taken away in Burnham, they can be reinstated when needed and officers can use Section 59 of the Reform Act to move on anti-social drivers.
Members of the public brought up a variety of problems regarding dog fouling on Burnham beach and in Rosewood Drive and South Terrace.
Other issues raised included speeding along Marine Drive, cleaning of alleyways, drug use, speeding in Berrow Road, licensing issues, and parking on double yellow lines, particularly in Jubilee Street.
The three main priorities chosen for Burnham police to tackle in the coming months were cleaning of alleyways, dog fouling and licensing.
Sergeant Ian Kennett told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The PACT process in Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge is becoming really worthwhile. The public can set priorities for their own area and see that some really positive action is being taken with their local police working very closely with the community and other partners, particularly Burmham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council and Sedgemoor District Council. The feedback from the public has been positive and they can be confident that they live in a safe area where there is a determination to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour with partners working together.”
The meeting was chaired by Dave Regan, with John Alexander as Deputy Chairman. Burnham police were represented by Sgt Ian kennett, PC Martin Davis and PCSO Sarah-Jane England.
John Alexander also asked for more people to volunteer to help staff The Shed Youth Café. This project is really helping to divert young people away from crime and antisocial behaviour and needs more support to continue operating. If anyone is interested they can contact John at Burnham Area Youth Centre at Cassis Close or contact a member of their local neighbourhood beat team.
Pictured are, top, PC Martin Davis and PCSO Sarah-Jane England with the list of priorities set by residents and, beneath, the meeting in progress
