Bridgwater MP Sir Ashley Fox has challenged Somerset Police to take tougher action on anti-social behaviour, while also pressing for faster responses to unauthorised traveller encampments and greater efforts to minimise disruption caused by M5 closures.
The meeting with Somerset's Chief Superintendent follows months of concerns raised by residents across the constituency about anti-social behaviour and community safety.
After launching his campaign calling for more robust action to tackle anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater, Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge, and Wilstock & Stockmoor, hundreds of residents publicly backed Ashley Fox's call for stronger police action, demonstrating the strength of feeling across the constituency.
Ashley Fox has consistently raised concerns about anti-social behaviour since being elected last year. He has previously called for Bridgwater to be included in the Government's Respect Orders pilot, urged the introduction of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) to tackle street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater town centre, and repeatedly called for a stronger visible police presence in local hotspots.
During the meeting, Ashley Fox raised four key issues with the Chief Superintendent.
- The first was anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater town centre. Ashley Fox said residents and businesses continue to report problems with street drinking, intimidation and disorder, which are damaging confidence in the town centre and discouraging people from visiting. He made it clear that residents expect anti-social behaviour to be challenged, not tolerated, and called for a stronger visible police presence, robust enforcement against persistent offenders, and renewed progress towards introducing a Public Spaces Protection Order. Ashley Fox also highlighted concerns from local businesses about the difficulties they sometimes face reporting incidents.
- Ashley Fox also raised ongoing anti-social behaviour in Wilstock and Stockmoor, where residents have repeatedly contacted him about a small number of individuals causing persistent disruption. He urged police to engage directly with affected communities and take firm action against those responsible, rather than relying solely on drive-through patrols. Ashley Fox also confirmed that video footage and photographs supplied by residents will be shared with police to support enforcement action where appropriate.
- The meeting also covered unauthorised traveller encampments, particularly following recent incidents in Burnham-on-Sea. Ashley Fox welcomed the swift police response to the most recent encampment, but said residents rightly expect the same decisive action whenever future incidents occur. Ashley also raised concerns from traders in Burnham of increasing problems of theft, abuse and anti-social behaviour which they say is not taken seriously by the police.
- The impact of repeated M5 closures was another major topic of discussion. Ashley Fox said lengthy motorway closures regularly bring local roads to a standstill, causing significant disruption for residents, commuters and businesses. He urged the police to work with partner agencies to keep the motorway open wherever it is safe to do so and to reopen it as quickly as possible following serious incidents. He also stressed the importance of moving anyone requiring emergency treatment away from the carriageway as quickly as possible so the motorway can safely reopen sooner. Ashley Fox will continue pressing National Highways and the Government to ensure disruption is kept to an absolute minimum.
Following the meeting, Ashley Fox said:
"Residents are fed up with persistent anti-social behaviour and they expect to see it dealt with.
Too many people tell me they avoid parts of our towns because they no longer feel safe or welcome. That cannot become the norm.
I made it clear that residents want to see visible policing, robust enforcement and action against those who repeatedly make life difficult for everyone else.
This was a constructive meeting and I will continue working with the police, local councils and the Government to ensure these concerns remain a priority. I will keep pressing for the action that residents rightly expect."
Ashley Fox is encouraging anyone who witnesses crime or anti-social behaviour to report it to Avon and Somerset Police by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
"Every report helps build the evidence needed for police action. If you have repeatedly reported problems and feel they are not being addressed, please let my office know. I will continue raising those cases directly and pressing for the action residents deserve."
