Residents in Highbridge have this week chosen tackling anti-social behaviour and drug dealing as the two top priorities for police in the town.
Dozens of residents attended the latest quarterly Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meeting on Thursday evening (July 22nd) in the St John Ambulance Hall in Bank Street Car Park where they were given a chance to influence what issues are tackled in the area.
Constable Adrian Jones and Sgt Ian Kennett gave updates on the police’s progress in tackling the priorities set at the previous meeting – vandalism and drugs misuse – and explained how several arrests had been made in the town following successful drugs raids in recent weeks.
At the beginning of June a warrant was executed in Market Street with a negative result. On June 9th a warrant was conducted in Bishops Place, Highbridge and a male was arrested following the seizure of some tablets which have been sent off for analysis. He remains on bail.
Following the recovery of a stolen laptop, an address was searched in Church Street and a cannabis cultivation set up with three fully grown plants found seized. The offender is due in Court on 16th July for two drug offences and two burglary offences.
During early July, a male was arrested for possession of cannabis following a warrant at his address in Church Street. His court date is due for July 29th. There was also a successful warrant conducted in Market Street at the beginning of July which resulted in two males being arrested and charged with possession of a Class B drug. Police also seized and destroyed £3,000 of equipment which could be used to grow cannabis.
Six new Neighbourhood Watch coordinators have been found for areas surrounding the Morland Estate and are now in the process of starting their new scheme.
It was also reported at the meeting that action has been taken against youths carrying out criminal damage in the town. Graffiti has been removed by Sedgemoor’s Clean Surroundings Team.
Residents voted on which issues should be tackled as the top priorities for the coming quarter, with anti-social behaviour in Market Street, Apex Park and Southwell Gardens plus drug dealing receiving the most votes.
Other issues mentioned were dog fouling, speeding in Church Street, parking problems, cold calling and the late night economy.
Burnham-On-Sea’s PACT meeting will be held next Wednesday (28th July) at 7pm in The Old Courthouse, Jaycroft Road.
Our photo shows Constable Adrian Jones and PCSO Claire Chambers with PACT Chairman Jason Adams at Thursday’s meeting
