Police to hold beat surgeries in council offices

POLICE in Minehead are setting up informal beat surgeries in West Somerset Council’s Customer Centre, in Summerland Road.
People will be able to drop in for an informal chat about issues which affect them and give their views on how to build better communities.
Inspector Carol Pearce, who is in charge of policing in West Somerset, said: “Overall, West Somerset is one of the safest places in which to live, but we are not complacent.
“Our beat surgeries are designed to actively involve our community to ensure that we are building safe, strong neighbourhoods, and to combat any incidents of crime and disorder.
“We want to know what local people’s priorities are, so we have opened the surgeries to listen to their concerns.
“Officers may be able to provide advice to people on the spot, which will be reassuring for many, but it is also an ideal way to bring broader issues to our attention so that we can tackle them.”
The first of the beat surgeries are scheduled for:

• December 4 at 10 am and 12 noon


• December 18 at 10am and 12 noon


• January 8 at 10 am and 12 noon

District council community safety officer Pete Hughes, who has facilitated the events, said: “This is a good example of how partnership working can help bring accessible services to our public.
“We are determined that acts of crime and disorder remain at their current low levels, and we are keen to involve local people so that we can deal with issues that affect them.”