PCC visits Burnham on Sea

Posted at 13:56 on 11th October 2024 in Announcements

Clare is stood with 4 other people next to a police station sign for Burnham on Sea station

From left to right: Acting Inspector Jonathan Eamer; Inspector Stuart King, Ashley Fox MP, PCC Clare Moody & Chief Inspector for Somerset West Rebecca Wells-Cole

Last Friday (4th), PCC Clare Moody visited Burnham on Sea as part of her commitment to listen and hear from communities across the area. Clare met with representatives of the Burnham on Sea Chamber of Trade and Commerce, Ashley Fox, MP for Bridgwater, and local police officers to gain insight into the pressing issues facing Burnham on Sea, Bridgwater and the proactive measures being taken to address them.

Clare heard about key issues for the community, including group of travellers setting up unauthorised camps on public spaces, concerns about the increase in shoplifting, and issues individuals and businesses had experienced with the police’s 101 number to report crime.

Clare also heard about successful meetings that Burnham and Highbridge Town Council hold, which were welcomed by those Clare met as platforms to have regular updates and discussions to address problems.

The other issues raised were around public drinking, and anti-social behaviour (ASB) which they say makes members of the public feel unsafe locally. To address some of the problems, those from the Burnham on Sea Chamber of Trade and Commerce appealed for more police visibility. They gave an example of their local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), who is known and well connected with the community.

Following this, Clare visited Burnham on Sea police station where she talked to officers about their concerns and issues in the area, and had a tour of the building.

Clare finished her visit by meeting with Ashley Fox, MP for Bridgwater, Rebecca Wells-Cole, Chief Inspector for Somerset West, and Acting Inspector Jonathan Eamer. Ashley raised concerns about the level of ASB, public drinking, noise and intimidation faced by residents living around Browne’s Pond in Bridgwater. Among other issues raised were knife crime concerns in Bridgwater, road safety issues along Stodden Road in Burnham, frequent traveller settlements in the Burnham/Highbridge area – which impact on local communities and businesses – and a couple of individual cases of people who had experienced some difficulties engaging with the police.

Without commenting on specific individual cases, Chief Inspector Rebecca Wells-Cole said the police were aware of some of the issues at Browne’s Pond, and they are working with the local authority and the community to find ways to address some of them. Rebecca stressed the need for people to continue to report crime to the police through 101, online or crime stoppers.