The Bridgwater Fair is now over and our operation to combat vehicle crime in the Town Centre car parks was a success. Over five hundred vehicle crime prevention packs were distributed to people visiting the town and for the second year there was no reported vehicle crime in the town centre. My thanks to the Bridgwater Mercury for their articles which no doubt assisted with the success of our operation.

With Summer over I am now looking forward to the Christmas period for ideas to combat shoplifters and the Public Order problems which tend to increase over the festive period. We are planning to run Operation Grotto again this year. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this operation, it is basically a high profile police operation in the Town Centre area designed to deter shoplifting and Public Order. This year we are hoping to augment this with some plain clothes officers targetting some of our well known offenders. I am also planning to run a Crime Surgery in the town centre at the beginning of December, times and dates are yet to be confirmed.

Current Town Centre Problems

As you can see there is a lot of graffiti in the town centre area, unfortunately if it is not removed it seems to encourage more of the same. We are collecting evidence and working with other Agencies and Police Forces to try and bring the ‘artists’ to court. If you see anyone committing this crime please contact us, if your premises is targetted please get it cleaned, once we have photographed it.

Town Centre premises are still being burgled by thieves gaining access through roofs and upstairs windows. Please make sure all your windows are secure and if you have a fire escape with a gated access please make sure it is locked locked when the premises is closed. If your security needs updating please contact us and we will arrange a visit from one of our Crime Prevention Officers.

APS Shaun Desmond

Tel: 01823 363330

Voice Mail 01823 363287

Box No 71957