A FATHER says his family is “living in fear” in Minehead following a recent increase in violent crime in the town.

Gavin Taylor claims his family has been the victim of a number of incidents since January – including an alleged assault which left his 20-year-old son with a broken jaw, harassment at their home and a number of bricks being thrown through his windows.

Mr Taylor was in his upstairs bedroom when he heard a car pull up outside on Sunday, March 11.

He said: “I thought it was one of my son’s friends, so I did not think a lot of it, until a rock came flying through the window and narrowly missed my head.

“Then another six came through, the downstairs windows had been broken and rocks had also been thrown at my son’s car, causing a series of dents.

“My wife has been left terrified by the recent harassment. It has scared the life out of her.

“My son is a decent lad, not a fighter at all. He plays football, did well in school.

“He would never pick a fight.”

In recent weeks there have been a series of reported incidents including another alleged assault on Sunday, February 25, between 11.30pm and 12.30am in which a 17-year-old male was reportedly left unconscious in the Irnham Road area.

Police officers have been joined by special constables on high profile patrols of the town in the wake of the recent ‘community tension’.

PC Joe Sanderson, Minehead beat manager said: “We are aware of several violent incidents in the Minehead area within recent weeks.

“We are working to bring offenders to justice and need the support of the community.

“We’d like to encourage any victims, witnesses or anyone with information to come forward; you can contact us via our website or call 101.”