Published: February 7, 2008
Top policewoman aims to introduce more foot patrols in Burnham

More visible policing looks set to be introduced in Burnham-On-Sea following a meeting between by the region's top cop and town councillors this week.

Chief Superintendent Sandy Padgett, the district commander for Somerset West, told councillors that she would like to see PCSOs patrolling the town centre on foot more often in a bid to raise their visibility.

Her comments came after Cllr John Morgan suggested the force should step back in time to tackle current problems in the town. "Why can't we re-introduce the same policing methods as 30 years ago, when officers regularly patrolled the town on foot?" he asked.

"We need high-profile policing in Burnham. Why can't PCSOs walk the streets again, rather than using cars all the time?"

C Supt Padgett responded: "There's no reason why. We do need PCSOs to be more visible in order to boost residents' confidence and I will go back to Dale Baker and the Burnham team about changing this."

She discussed a range of topical local crime issues with the town council, including the current state of the Manor Gardens.

Cllr Morgan said a greater police presence could help tackle the isses. "We need a constant police presence in the gardens every Friday between 6pm and 4am."

C Supt Padgett said she feels introducing a Local Action Team and CCTV - as outlined by Sgt Ian Kennet at a police street briefing in the gardens last weekend - would "greatly help".

But she added that the town "needs to look at why young people are congregating in the gardens in the first place and establish what there is for them to do."

She also pledged to take a fresh look at speeding problems along The Esplanade. Burnham's Deputy Mayor, Neville Jones, said the problem had "diminished" in recent months, but was "bound to return in the summer."

He added: "Given that we have £29,000 of funding promised to us by local firms to tackle this problem, I feel we should be able to take this forward with your help."