Official new figures out this week show overall levels of crime have fallen in Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge – although there are some exceptions.
Sgt Tracy Marlow told the Annual Town Council meeting this week that year-on-year figures show “a major reduction in crime.”
Dwelling burglaries in Burnham have fallen from 37 last year to 35 this year.
Incidents of criminal damage have fallen from 165 last year to 161 in the same period. Also, thefts of vehicles have fallen 50 per cent in Burnham and 33% in Highbridge.
However, she added that anti social behaviour incidents have risen from 781 incidents last year to 805 this year, while non-dwelling burglaries have shown an increase from 51 last year to 60.
“These increases are not a cause for the concern,” she explained. “They are due to a change in the way that crimes are recorded, rather than there being a big increase.”
“The overall trend in the Burnham area has been a major reduction in crime, which is pleasing. This area is a very safe one to live in.”
Sgt Marlow, pictured at the meeting, went on to say that work to increase the number of no cold calling zones is continuing in the two towns. “I would love to see the whole of Burnham and Highbridge covered as a single no cold calling zone in the future,” she said.
Answering questions from the audience, she said that police resources have been reduced in recent years but residents should be reassured that there is adequate cover in the area.
She also confirmed that Burnham Police Station is still earmarked for closure, as Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported last year, and that “the new site is currently being discussed.” She added that “there will always be a policing footprint in Burnham.”
