Weston anti-social behaviour reduced

Anti-social behaviour has reduced in hot-spot areas across Weston-super-Mare after residents raised the issue as a community priority.

People living in the resort told police back in March at a PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meeting about regular incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Following extra patrols in the affected areas and using CCTV to monitor situations closely, police say incidents have since dropped.

Levels have reduced by almost 15 per cent in and around Grove Village.

PC Rob Morgan said: "Youth anti-social behaviour does typically increase during the summer months, and so we have been working closely with local residents and partner agencies, including the CCTV control room, to tackle the issue.

"We are in regular contact with local youth clubs such as the YMCA and Barcode to try and increase attendance and have increased patrols on Friday nights along with local park rangers.

"During these patrols we have seized a great deal of alcohol from underage drinkers.

"Although there has been a marked improvement, we do not intend to stop there and local residents have agreed to keep anti-social behaviour as a priority for the months ahead."

At the most recent meeting last week, concerns were also raised about drug-related crime as a priority for the town.

Mr Morgan said: "Since the previous PACT meeting in March, we have executed eight Misuse of Drugs Act warrants in the town centre and arrested 36 people for drug related offences."

To find out when the next PACT meeting is being held call 0845 456 7000.