Bridgwater MP Ashley Fox has challenged claims that anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater town centre is improving, saying that official statistics do not match the experiences being reported by residents, businesses and visitors.
The intervention comes after the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police responded to concerns raised by Ashley Fox about street drinking, anti-social behaviour and a lack of visible policing in the town centre.
In her response, Chief Constable Sarah Crew said anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater had fallen, with reported incidents reducing from an average of 57 per month to 38 over a six-month period. She also highlighted targeted patrols, enforcement action and ongoing work with partner organisations. However, Ashley Fox says he remains concerned that the figures do not reflect the reality being experienced by many local people.
Ashley Fox MP said:
"I welcome the detailed response from the Chief Constable and the work that officers are carrying out to tackle anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater. However I continue to hear from residents, businesses and visitors who tell me that anti-social behaviour remains highly visible in our town centre and that it appears to be getting worse rather than better.
There is a clear disconnect between the official statistics and the experiences being reported to me. Many local people simply do not recognise the picture being painted by the figures. They see street drinking, intimidation and disorder continuing to affect the town centre and damaging confidence in the area."
Following the Chief Constable's response, Ashley Fox wrote back to express concerns that a reduction in recorded incidents may not represent a genuine reduction in offending, warned that the situation risks undermining public confidence in policing, and called for an in-person meeting to discuss the matters further.
He has also written to Somerset Council Chief Executive Duncan Sharkey urging the council to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering Bridgwater town centre.
Ashley Fox believes a PSPO would give authorities additional powers to tackle street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour while helping to restore confidence among residents and businesses.
Ashley Fox MP added:
"I believe there is now a even more compelling case for a Public Spaces Protection Order in Bridgwater town centre.
Local people deserve to feel safe when they visit the town centre and businesses should not have to deal with behaviour that drives customers away.
A PSPO must form part of a wider approach that combines robust enforcement with support for those struggling with addiction and other complex needs. We need to tackle the causes of the problem as well as the symptoms.”
Ashley Fox first raised the issue with the Chief Constable following increasing concerns from constituents about street drinking, intimidation and anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater town centre. He also highlighted his own experience of waiting more than six minutes on the 101 non-emergency line to report ASB before having to abandon the call.
