Task force to tackle town's anti-social behaviour

A new task force is attempting to tackle anti-social behaviour in a town after concerns from parents about needles being found in public.

One mother from Chard, in Somerset, who asked not to be named, said her son picked up a used drug pipe and later a used needle.

She said: "Something needs to be done. We are one step away from someone being very dangerously hurt."

Independent town councillor Andy Webb has set up the Chard Community Task Force, made up of the police, schools, town council and youth groups, to work together to help address the problem.

The mother told the BBC she had called Avon and Somerset Police several times, but added: "They don't do anything."

Avon and Somerset Police said it is working with partner agencies to "tackle the root causes of these problems".

It has also advised anyone who finds discarded drug-related items to contact their local authority - the body responsible for safely clearing them away.

Sonia Barnes, who also lives in Chard, said drug-related activity was "very blatant on the streets".

"Daylight even, you will see a little package and money exchanging hands. There's an awful lot of it," she added.

Councillor Mr Webb said the newly set up task force is now working to address the issues of anti-social behaviour and drug-related activity.

They want to hear from residents and work with schools to try and prevent further drug issues in the south Somerset town.

"It's a partnership-based initiative dedicated to making Chard safer, stronger, and more inclusive for everyone," he said.

"We've got to start protecting the youth now and the only way we can do that is through collaboration."

Lucy Roberts is the Student Safeguarding and Mental Health Team Leader at Holyrood Academy - one of the partners on the new task force.

She said they have surveyed students on safe places and spaces around Chard.

Next week students are going out for what Ms Roberts called "youth walk and talks" with the police to identify those areas.

She said that by the community "pulling together" and sharing resources and information, she hoped the partnership will "make a big difference".

Neighbourhood inspector Rose Green, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the force recognised and "fully appreciates" resident's concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the town.

"We would encourage people to continue to report these issues to us. This intelligence helps build a picture which helps prioritise the proactive resources we have," she said.

"This includes the execution of warrants under the Misuse of Drugs Act, targeting those involved in the supply of illegal drugs.

"Officers also work closely with our Anti-social Behaviour Coordinators to deal with offenders. This includes the use of warning letters, acceptable behaviour contracts, criminal behaviour orders, and injunctions and we take action whenever these are breached."

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