Crime in Burnham-On-Sea has fallen 15 per cent during the last year, residents were told at a packed meeting in the town on Thursday evening (January 22nd) where local people were able to set police priorities for the coming months.
Sergeant Ian Kennett, pictured right, told the ‘Partners and Communities Together’ (PACT) meeting in the town council’s chambers: “Targeting key local issues is working, because overall crime for the Burnham south area fell 15 per cent between July and December compared to the previous year, while criminal damage is also down 43 per cent.”
Almost 50 residents attended the meeting, where they aired their views about a wide range of local issues, including parking and speeding.
The meeting decided that the key problems in the Burnham South area which need adressing are speeding along Marine Drive and The Esplanade, anti-social behaviour in the Jaycroft Road area, and inconsiderate cycling in the town centre.
In Burnham North, speeding along Berrow Road and nearby Ashtree Road, door-to door cold calling, and parking on yellow lines will be the focus of police.
The PACT meetings, held every few months, give local people the chance to have their say on matters affecting their neighbourhood, from litter and noise, to street lighting and anti-social behaviour.
A meeting was also held last week for the villages surrounding Burnham – the next Burnham PACT meeting will be held on April 23rd.
Pictured above alongside a whiteboard where residents were invited to scribble down local issues are Sgt Ian Kennett, John Alexander of Burnham’s Rosewood Action Team, Chris Robertson of Burnham’s Neighbourhood Watch, and Jane Bailey of the district council’s Community Safety Support Team
