ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour, deer poaching and illegal parking are just some of the top policing priorities outlined for areas across West Somerset.

The comprehensive list, which looks at the Williton and Watchet, and Exmoor and Dunster areas was compiled based on residents’ concerns thanks to the area’s Safer Stronger Neighbourhoods policing teams.

Some of the policing pledges include cracking down on illegal parking in Fore Street, Williton, increasing high visibility patrols to target yobs in Watchet, and catching heath and scrubland fire-starters in Crowcombe and on the Quantocks.

In Minehead, officers have promised a robust approach when dealing with drunks and troublemakers around the town centre and will be increasing their presence this weekend as Butlins hosts its ‘Adult Weekend’ event.

Police will also be targeting people caught flouting the town’s alcohol-free zones – anyone caught drinking will have their booze confiscated and asked to leave the area. Those who fail to comply will be issued with a fixed penalty notice and could face prosecution.

In more rural areas, police will be using their stop and search powers to target deer poachers on Exmoor and educating homeowners about the dangers of leaving outbuildings unsecured following a spate of thefts.

Speeders in the Simonsbath, Bridgetown and Exford areas will also be targeted, while Porlock, Dunster and Carhampton will also receive extra police patrols to stop thefts from outbuildings.

Safer Stronger Neighbourhoods priorities are based information received by residents through Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings.

Keep checking the County Gazette for details of the next meeting in your area.

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SEE what the police are pledging in your area by looking at the full list of the Safer Stronger Neighbourhood priorities below…

MINEHEAD

Alcombe East & West

  • Target illegal parking or obstruction of footpaths in Fownes Road/Alcombe Road.
  • Crack down on those causing damage and anti-social behaviour at the Marshfield Road Allotment site.

Minehead North & South

  • Nighttime economy and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in Warren Road/The Esplanade, Minehead town centre and Wellington square, particularly at weekends.
  • High visibility foot patrols over May 22 and 23 during Butlins’ Adult Weekend.
  • Targeting people flouting no alcohol zones in Blenheim Gardens; Irnham Recreation Ground; Minehead seafront; King George V playing fields; Rose Garden; Cross Farm Park and areas adjacent to Seaward Way, Bircham Road and Ellicombe.

EXMOOR & DUNSTER

Dulverton & Brushford, Brompton Ralph & Haddon

  • Theft from outbuildings on Exmoor – the beat team will continue to with the successful Rural Watch property-marking scheme and tie it in with the Exmoor Horse Watch scheme, where possible.
  • Deer poaching – officers will carry out overnight patrols and stop and search vehicles and gather intelligence. Officers will also patrol private estates on the request of landowners.

Exmoor & Quarme

  • Theft from outbuildings – high visibility patrols will continue and officers will raise awareness of the issue and encourage people to report any suspicious activity.
  • Speeding in Simonsbath, Bridgetown and Exford areas – police will positively enforce speed limits in these areas.
  • Vehicle crime at rural beauty spots – high visibility patrols will be made of local beauty spots and officers will provide vehicle owners with crime prevention advice.

Aville Vale, Dunster, Carhampton & Withycombe

  • Theft from outbuildings – high visibility patrols will continue and officers will raise awareness of the issue and encourage people to report any suspicious activity.

Porlock & District

  • Theft from outbuildings – high visibility patrols will continue and officers will raise awareness of the issue and encourage people to report any suspicious activity.

WILLITON AREA

Williton

  • Illegal parking in Fore Street, Williton – targeted patrols with action being taken through words of advice or fixed penalty notices.

Watchet

  • Anti-social behaviour in Watchet – high visibility patrols to be carried out and incidents of anti-social behaviour to be dealt with robustly.
  • Nuisance behaviour in Henry Davey Park – high visibility patrols to be carried out and officers to engage with local young people.

Crowcombe & Stogumber and Old Cleeve

  • Speeding in Yarde and Woodford – stop checks, speed detection and community updates and the re-launching of the Woodford and Yarde Community Speed Watch scheme.
  • Criminal damage and anti-social behaviour at Stogumber Primary School – high visibility patrols, engaging with young people and community involvement.
  • Fire lighting of heath/scrubland at Crowcombe Park Gate/Quantock Hills – high visibility patrols and working in partnership with Quantock Rangers.
  • Anti-social behaviour in Belle Vue, Washford – high visibility patrols and offenders to be dealt with via the anti-social behaviour programme and through restorative justice.

West Quantock and Quantock Vale

  • Anti-social behaviour in Stogursey – high visibility patrols and offenders to be dealt with via the anti-social behaviour programme and through restorative justice.
  • Speed checks along the A358 Sampford Brett, Shurton and Burton, Stogursey – beat team to link with the local community speed watch and carry out speed checks.
  • Campfires/barbecues/lighting of heath/scrubland on the Quantock Hills and car parks – high visibility patrols, working in partnership with Quantock Rangers.
  • Theft from motor vehicles in car parks – high visibility patrols and use of Vulnerable Vehicle Scheme checks.