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Published:
February
6,
2010
Crime
falls 12.6% in Burnham as new priorities are set for police
Crime in Burnham-On-Sea has fallen 12.6% over the past year,
residents were told by police this week when officers held their
quarterly community meeting in the town.
Over
30 members of the public attended Thursday's PACT (Partners and
Communities Together) meeting at the Town Council chambers in
Jaycroft Road.
 Sgt
Ian Kennett said that in Burnham there had been 200 arrests in
the last four months and 150 speeding tickets had been issued,
however overall crime had fallen 12.6%, which equates to 252 fewer
incidents than last year.
He
added that there had been four incidents in Abingdon Street since
the last PACT meeting, when local residents had highlighted anti-social
behaviour problems along the road.
Sgt
Kennett said new CCTV cameras and a number plate recognition camera
are due to be introduced in Burnham and Highbridge before the
summer to further combat anti-social behaviour and put off criminals
visiting our area. He added that 30 per cent of all crime is committed
by criminals from outside the area.
PC
Martin Davis told the meeting that dispersal orders had been used
35 times in the town since being implemented last autumn.
He
said that while these have now been taken away in Burnham, they
can be reinstated when needed and officers can use Section 59
of the Reform Act to move on anti-social drivers.
Members
of the public brought up a variety of problems regarding dog fouling
on Burnham beach and in Rosewood Drive and South Terrace.
Other
issues raised included speeding along Marine Drive, cleaning of
alleyways, drug use, speeding in Berrow Road, licensing issues,
and parking on double yellow lines, particularly in Jubilee Street.
 The
three main priorities chosen for Burnham police to tackle in the
coming months were cleaning of alleyways, dog fouling and licensing.
Sergeant
Ian Kennett told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The PACT process in
Burnham-on-Sea and Highbridge is becoming really worthwhile. The
public can set priorities for their own area and see that some
really positive action is being taken with their local police
working very closely with the community and other partners, particularly
Burmham-on-Sea and Highbridge Town Council and Sedgemoor District
Council. The feedback from the public has been positive and they
can be confident that they live in a safe area where there is
a determination to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour with
partners working together."
The
meeting was chaired by Dave Regan, with John Alexander as Deputy
Chairman. Burnham police were represented by Sgt Ian kennett,
PC Martin Davis and PCSO Sarah-Jane England.
John
Alexander also asked for more people to volunteer to help staff
The Shed Youth Café. This project is really helping to
divert young people away from crime and antisocial behaviour and
needs more support to continue operating. If anyone is interested
they can contact John at Burnham Area Youth Centre at Cassis Close
or contact a member of their local neighbourhood beat team.
Pictured
are, top, PC Martin Davis and PCSO Sarah-Jane England with the
list of priorities set by residents and, beneath, the meeting
in progress
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