Published: February 25, 2007
Burnham-On-Sea MP meets concerned Rosewood Avenue residents

Burnham-On-Sea's MP met residents of the town's Rosewood Avenue on Saturday (February 24th) to see the extent of damage being inflicted by vandals in the area.

David Heathcoat-Amory discussed the problem with residents Ron Parker and Eric Vause and visited one of the sites where a roadside wall had been kicked in during recent weeks, as pictured here.

The MP was handed a diary, shown below, which outlines the vandalism in the first two months of 2007 - shown at the bottom of this page.

Mr Heathcoat-Amory said: "The keys to this problem are mobilising a police presence, good CCTV camera work and, if the estate was not originally designed with security in mind due to the many paths running between houses, possible changes may be required."

He added: "Policing is clearly under permanent strain and this is an issue I am constantly talking to the Chief Constable about."

He and Cllr Arthur Thorogood are to push Sedgemooor District Council to consider introducing CCTV cameras in the area and will also ask for police patrols to be stepped up.

Mr Vause, who is a member of the local neighbourhood watch group, said damage includes gates being taken off hinges, cars being damaged, walls being broken, hedges being damaged and garden furniture being stolen.

Earlier in the day, the MP had met South Street residents to discuss problems caused by late night drinkers.