PCC Sue Mountstevens visits Iron Duke, Wellington

Police and Crime Commissioner for the force, Sue Mountstevens, visited the Iron Duke in Wellington today (May 21) to discuss concerns that residents across Taunton Deane have about crime in their towns and villages. 

PCC Mountstevens went around the room discussing each resident's individual concerns, aided by the local policing team of officers and PCSOs. 

The team visit an area of the force's district every month to get a sense of what is causing concern. 

Sue Mountstevens with Wellington police officer Haydon Jones. 

PCC Mountstevens reassured the visitors that no cuts would be seen to neighbourhood policing in the next two years due to ring-fenced funds from council tax precepts. 

The force has been reduced by around 650 officers over the last few years, and has faced around £70million of cuts with a further £12-16million to save across the new few years. 

She said: "There are some concerns about anti-social behaviour, young people, some drug taking.

"With the incase in council tax precept, neighbourhood policing will be ring-fenced for the next two years, so there will be no cuts to neighbourhood policing."

Wellington residents Roger and Sandra Nunn said anti-social behaviour was a key issue for the town. 

Mr Nunn said: "We know it's a long process and a lot goes on behind the scenes, but the anti-social behaviour does concern us. 

"It's an on-going problem. The youths grow up and more take their place - there's got to be something that stops it becoming a problem in the first place."

Mrs Nunn added that her main concerns surrounded the behaviour and vandalism within Wellington Park. 

Roger and Sandra Nunn, with fellow resident Rosemary Hookway, talking with Sue Mountstevens. 

PCC Mountstevens also addressed the growing number of 'opportunistic' crimes involving unlocked cars and windows.

"A lot of these issues involve things we can do to protect ourselves," she added. 

"Locking our cars, making sure our doors and windows are locked. I think we could do more, but we are all guilty of not doing these things."

Many members for Wellington Town Council showed up to join the discussions. 

PCC Sue Mountstevens in discussion with Cllrs Bob Bowrah, Janet Lloyd and Mark Lithgow.

Mayor of Wellington, Cllr Gary James, said: "I think the police have got a good hold on the things. Overall it is still a very safe town."

Cllr Mark Lithgow added that the low level of police activity within the town was a reassuring thing, as it means the town is a safe area. 

Cllr Janet Lloyd joined Cllr Lithgow to praise the work of the Wellington One team, which sees collaboration between lots of organisations to prevent and solve problems. 

Another resident, Mandy McCarter, who runs the Wellington Somerset Community Group on Facebook, gathered questions on the online forum for those who could not attend. 

Mandy McCarter. 

She said: "I think the timing was poor and if it was supposed to be a community event it should have been held in a different location.

"Lots of people couldn't attend because they have jobs or it's right on the school run. 

"We've submit a list of questions to the PCC and another list to the cllrs that we have elected."

Some of the town's main concerns surrounded anti-social behaviour, the lack of police officers, and the relocation of the force to a base in Williton. 

PCC Mountstevens said: "I love that so many people have turned up, I think it is fantastic. 

"It gives us a good idea of what people want from the police. Everyone wants more police on the beat, more PCSOs and police stations - I want that, too. But we can't have it. 

"It makes no difference where the officers are based. 

"I don't want them in the stations, I want them out of the streets where they can be seen.

"Buildings don't do anything - it's having the officers that is the priority."

She added that technology advances will soon make it easier for police to be out and about, instead of in the stations, for example with the introduction of laptops.