Action on antisocial behaviour and illegal traveller sites demanded (2024)

One of Somerset's newly-elected MPs has urged the police to take action on antisocial behaviour and illegal traveller encampments across his constituency. Ashley Fox was elected the Conservative MP for Bridgwater at the general election held on July 4, seeing off a close challenge from Labour candidate and Somerset Council division member Leigh Redman.

Both before and during the election campaign, Mr Fox promised to take action on crime and antisocial behaviour in Bridgwater town centre, as well as tackling illegal traveller encampments in Burnham-on-Sea. To this end, Mr Fox recently met with superintendent Lisa Simpson, Avon and Somerset Constabulary's area commander for Somerset, to discuss these pressing issues.

Mr Fox said: "I emphasised to superintendent Simpson that the anti-social behaviour in our town centres must be addressed urgently. Businesses are suffering, and the sense of safety that our residents and visitors once enjoyed is deteriorating. We need decisive action to make our streets safe and to support our local economy."

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On top of the police's ongoing efforts, Somerset Council has been attempting to dissuade antisocial behaviour in Bridgwater town centre by employing town wardens as part of the Bridgwater town deal, which is funded by central government.

Ms Simpson said: "Antisocial behaviour is unacceptable and we welcome the positive relationships we have with partners and community leaders to help keep Somerset a safe place to live. We have pro-actively taken action in Bridgwater working alongside the town council, youth justice service, housing associations and charities with that purpose in mind.

"This includes funding weekly youth activity sessions in the town to divert juveniles from antisocial behaviour and crime. Other action includes the issuing of community protection warnings, criminal behaviour orders and civil injunctions.

"Anyone who breaches can expect to be dealt with robustly. For example, a man in his thirties from Bridgwater was jailed in May for eight months for breaches of his injunction, including theft from a shop and leaving drug paraphernalia outside shop doors."

Mr Fox also used his meeting with Ms Simpson to discuss the "anxiety and uncertainty" generated by illegal traveller encampments, especially those in Burnham-on-Sea and in neighbouring settlements near the Somerset coast.

He said: "Illegal encampments are causing significant distress and concern among residents. I support the police in taking swift and robust action to remove these encampments.

"The affected communities deserve a prompt and effective response. Effective collaboration is key to resolving these issues. Authorities must work together to implement strategies that will instil order and security to our towns and communities."

Somerset Council has been attempting to tackle a shortfall of traveller pitches within the former Sedgemoor area - with the western part of the former district loosely making up the newly-created Bridgwater constituency.

Numerous applications for new traveller pitches have been given planning permission over the last 18 months - including four pitches on Cossington Lane near Woolavington (approved in December 2023), a further two pitches on the A39 Puriton Hill (in May 2024), retrospective permission for three pitches on Batch Road in Puriton (in late-June), and most recently two pitches on Vole Road in Brent Knoll (in July).

Ms Simpson said: "We are aware also of community concern relating to some unauthorised encampments in various parts of Somerset. While trespass is a civil offence, the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act does set out circ*mstances in which police can seek to remove unauthorised encampments. Where appropriate we will seek to take positive action in conjunction with the relevant landowner and investigate any criminality that occurs.

"We'd encourage anyone who experiences any issues relating to antisocial behaviour, or other matters, to please report it to us. That information is vital and regularly used to help make key decisions around responding to and preventing criminality."

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