AVON and Somerset's Police Crime Commissioner paid a visit to Williton on Tuesday night to take questions from residents about the force's work in West Somerset.

Ms Mountstevens was joined by chief inspector Lisa Williams at a special meeting of the Watchet, Williton and Quantocks Area Panel held at the Council Chamber in Williton.

The Independent PCC, who was re-elected for a second term earlier this year, outlined her priorities for the force going forward before fielding questions on a range of subjects.

"These sessions are invaluable to hear your thoughts and experiences of local policing in the area and help me in my job as an intermediary between the police and the public," Ms Mountstevens said.

She said that Avon and Somerset had a very raw deal in terms of funding, being the second worst off constabulary for funding by population.

"We really want our police to have a visible presence and I am fully supportive of our PCSO's," Ms Mountstevens said.

"We are in the unfortunate position of having to cut £20m of a budget that is 80 per cent people. We are having to sell of police stations such as those in Williton and Minehead, but I assure we are simply moving, not leaving."

Ms Mountstevens said that she was positive about the proposal for the Williton force to move into the West Somerset Council building as part of a new hub, and that discussions were underway between the police, ambulance and fire services in Minehead about possible sites should the police station be sold.

The PCC also highlighted that Avon and Somerset Police would be piloting body cameras on police officers' uniform and emphasised her position on drivers caught using their mobile phones.

"I think more needs to be done in terms of a robust sentencing, I would be in favour of drivers caught using their mobile phones being banned from driving for three months for a first offence and having their car crushed for a second offence," Ms Mountstevens said.

"I don't think the law is particularly helpful at the moment either, we are lobbying to have it changed because you can only be charged for using your mobile phone while driving which takes time and resources to prove - if it were changed to 'handling' your mobile phone the law would be a lot more effective.

"However I must say that much like drink-driving or wearing a seatbelt, this is very much a societal issue too - we simply don't have the resources to fully monitor whether people are using their mobile phones while driving."