PCC Sue Mountstevens grilled on travellers, boy racers and anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater

Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens was joined by Somerset West Chief Inspector Lisa Simpson and Sergeant Joe Piscina at a meeting of Bridgwater's Town Development Forum at the Town Hall on Thursday.

Chris Sidaway from the St Matthew's Allotment Association was less than impressed with the police's handling of travellers on the St Matthew's Field site, questioning whether there was an 'amnesty' on travellers.

However Ms Mountstevens said that travellers have human rights and protections but conceded that some aggressive travellers had caused issues in Somerset and said the police took the issue seriously.

Ch Insp Simpson said: "It is one of the most challenging issues we face. If there is a crime then like any other we need to be able to prove who committed it and this can prove difficult. Equally we do not really have the resources to move 70 people, caravans and trailers, animals and all and even then, where do we put them?"

Travellers have recently sprung up in Bridgwater on St Matthews Field, in the Northgate Car Park and most recently on the Kingsdown Estate.

Cllr Gill Slocombe said: "We have arranged a meeting with the Chief Constable and our Legal Team at Sedgemoor District Council to discuss how we can eradicate the issue of travellers gaining entry on to the Fairfield and other parts of Bridgwater and in Sedgemoor more efficiently.

"It is our belief that the police have the powers to act immediately and not always leave it to the local authority to have to always go down the legal route. We want a better liaison system working together and we intend to pursue it."

The police also pledged to clamp down on anti-social behaviour in the Binford Place area as a number of residents at the meeting made their thoughts known about public drinking and the issues a handful of people were causing.

Sgt Piscina said: "We have done some good work tackling the problem of anti-social behaviour in the town centre, and our next target will be Binford Place.

"It is a long process and I ask for patience but in time you will see results. We will increase our presence there and will be bidding for mounted officers too."

Other concerns raised by members of the public including children committing vandalism and 'tombstoning' down at the docks, and issues over 'boy racers'.

Resident Steve Choram said: "We are plagued by boy racers in Bridgwater. They are so loud myself and my neighbours have to keep our windows closed.

"It is unbearable, especially during the heatwave last week. It has to be stopped."

Fellow resident Nick Gibson asked whether more could be done about the cars with modified exhausts driving round late at night.

Both PCC Mountstevens and Ch Insp Simpson highlighted how limited police resources were in the region.

Ms Mountstevens said: "We have had to make £60m of savings in the past four years and will need to make a further £20m by 2020. We need more resources and myself and my Chief Constable Andy Marsh have written to the Prime Minister and our MPs saying we need investment."

Ch Insp Simpson said trying to work out how best to use officers was a bit like moving pieces on a chessboard.