Meeting and greeting Crowcombe and Stogumber new beat PCSO

‘MEET and Greet’ sessions are being organised by Crowcombe and Stogumber’s new beat PCSO David Rowe.
PCSO Rowe will be available from next month to accommodate anybody living in his new beat area who wants to discuss any issues of concern.
He said: “My meet and greet sessions will still be held in the Community Policing (CPU) bus and will still be an opportunity for you, the local public, to meet your Neighbourhood Beat Team and discuss any issues that you may have.”
The sessions will be held on the first Monday of each month and will last for 45 minutes.
The new times and venues are as follows:

• 5.30 pm - outside Crowcombe Post Office
  
• 6.30 pm - Notley Arms car park, Monksilver
  
• 7.30 pm - Roadwater Post Office car park
  
• 8.20 pm - Lysaght Hall car park, Old Cleeve

PCSO Rowe continues also to cover Old Cleeve parish, while his previous beat of Carhampton and Withycombe has reverted to PCSO Sue Hurley and PC Mark Curran, who work from Minehead Police Station.
The Crowcombe and Stogumber police neighbourhood beat team is now managed by PC Fiona Clopet, who works from Williton Police Station.

Anniversary for community youth volunteer scheme

THE first anniversary is being celebrated this month for a community youth development programme in Minehead which has seen youngsters rewarded for volunteering to help out in their local community.
‘Dreamscheme - Seaward Way’, the Minehead branch of the national Dreamscheme initiative, is run by Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and youth service staff from Somerset County Council, with support from many other local and national organisations.
It encourages young people to earn points through a series of community-based work projects, including litter-picking and gardening.
Earning 10 points for every hour spent on a community project, the youths can redeem their points on social activities.
One recent Dreamscheme trip invited young people to redeem 15 of their points in return for a free game of ten pin bowling.
The project was established in Seaward Way last autumn by PCSOs Rachel Cutler and Luisa Skinner and it continues to engage local young people in community-based activities as well as holding a weekly youth club for the over-10s.
The October school half-term is a busy week for the Dreamscheme, and young people can take part in activities such as a gardening project in the nearby playground and baking cakes for a senior citizens’ coffee morning.
Their efforts will be rewarded with a volunteer-run Halloween party on October 31.
PCSO Luisa Skinner said: “The Dreamscheme project is really popular among young people in Minehead.
“They feel great about contributing to improving the area they live in and enjoy the benefits of the rewards.
“Local residents are all very supportive of the scheme and one year on, it is still going from strength to strength.”
County council Minehead ward Councillor Ian Galloway, who contributed £500 to the project from his community budget, said: “The Dreamscheme is a great outlet for young people in the area, and I am very grateful for the hard work and commitment that our local PCSOs and youth workers have put into this project.
“I have been very happy to make a contribution via our community budget to this valuable scheme for our younger citizens.”
County council community safety portfolio holder, Councillor Henry Hobhouse, said: “We are committed to providing services for local people at all stages of their lives, and have contributed £475,000 of funding for the county’s PCSOs.
“The Dreamscheme is an excellent example of the council and the police encouraging young people to release their potential for the benefit of the community as a whole.”

• Our photograph shows youngsters on the Seaward Way estate being briefed on a litter pick earlier in the year. Photo submitted.

Villages' motorists warned of Quantocks police blitz on thoughtless parking

POLICE in the Quantock Hills are warning people in Cannington and Nether Stowey to park considerately and legally, or face being given a fixed penalty notice.
The move comes after a series of complaints from residents and parish councils in both villages where parking has at times obstructed highways and been dangerous to pedestrians and other road users.
Despite talking to offenders and offering words of advice, the problems have persisted, so police officers and Police Community Support Officers have now been instructed to take action against those breaking the law.
PCSO Karen Evans, from the Bridgwater rural safer, stronger neighbourhood team, said: “The parking in both villages has been inconsiderate at best, at times dangerous and illegal.
“In the past we have tried our best to deal with these issues by finding owners of vehicles and giving words of advice, but following further complaints form local residents and parish councils we have been forced to take a tough stance.
“Unfortunately people seem to think that controlled areas of zebra crossings, bus stops, and loading bays can be used as their own personal parking space while popping into the shop for 10 minutes.
“This is not the case and, although it is not our wish to issue tickets, I would urge people to heed this warning or face the consequences.”

Half-term fun for youngsters with Minehead police and puppet theatre

POLICE in Minehead are coming together with youth workers to keep local youngsters active during the schools half-term break.
On Thursday and Friday, October 25 and October 26, Police Community Support Officers from Minehead and youth workers from the Somerset County youth service will be running an art project on the Seward Way Estate, in Alcombe.
Professional sculptor and model-maker Rick Ellam will be taking part in the project, which is called Shadow Puppet Theatre.
The aim will be to produce a play by the end of the two days.
PCSO Luisa Skinner said: “Children from all ages can attend free of charge and make characters for the play, help build the scenery, or compose a script.
“Refreshments will be provided, but we would ask children wear old clothes and ensure any under-10s come with an adult.
“Our message to all local children is to come along and enjoy the fun.”
The event will be held in the multi-use games area in Sandpiper Close between 11 am and 3 pm.
For more information contact Minehead Police Station on 0845 4567000.