Residents in Highbridge have this week been told by police that they are winning the war on drug dealing in the town.
Over 30 people attended a Highbridge PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting at Highbridge Community Centre on Tuesday (July 21st), where police officers described how they have conducted multiple raids in the town during recent weeks.
Sgt Ian Kennett told the meeting that 126 intelligence reports had been received from residents in Highbridge, which had “greatly helped our work.”
He added that there had been five drug warrants executed, four of which had been positive. Two other housing possession proceedings for drugs-related issues are pending and a cannabis factory had been closed down in the Walrow with £150+ plants seized which had the potential to value £15,000 when mature.
Sgt Kennett added that two other drugs seizures had also been made and a man had been convicted of possession with intent to supply cannabis and given 15 weeks imprisonment after a guilty plea.
Gill Bawler gave some feedback received from the public about the work. She said: “A local business person told us this week that since the Highbridge Beat Team have been doing PACT and concentrating on the issues we have raised, it has made a real difference to the town and made Highbridge a more pleasant place to work and live.”
And she added: “A local resident added that he knows a few people who take drugs and they have said that Highbridge is nearly dry because of all the warrants that have been done.”
Reg Winslow from Sedgemoor District Council gave a report on fly-tipping at the meeting, reporting that it represents a reasonably small proportion of the incidents reported district-wide.
“One particular area identified as a problem has been the area next to the Smiths Way Estate, where clearance work was undertaken as a result of April’s meeting. We have subsequently spoken to Knightstone Housing who will be contacting residents to advise them of their responsibilities with regards to waste disposal,” he said.
“Sedgemoor District Council aim to remove all fly tipping within 2 days of being reported, with performance figures around 90% for collection each month. We urge anyone who discovers fly tipped items to report them to us on 0845 4082540.”
PCSOs Gill Bawler and Claire Chambers gave a presentation on four current crime reduction projects in Highbridge, The Dream scheme, The Engine Room, the ASDA Pod and HALT (Highbridge And Landlords Together).
The chair of the Police Authority, Dr Moira Hamlin, also gave a presentation about the Police Authority’s role and setting next year’s policing plan.
The meeting then voted on this quarter’s priorities and the results were drug dealing in Highbridge and, secondly, parking issues in Market Street on double yellow lines, and in Caxton Road, on Church Street and in Burnham Road.
The next meeting is proposed to be held at 7.30 pm on Weds 21 October at a venue to be confirmed.
Our photos show (from top) the meeting on Tuesday night; a drugs raid in Church Street earlier this month; and PCSOs Gill Bawler and Claire Chambers with the chair of the Police Authority, Dr Moira Hamlin
