Purge on Town Centre crime & anti-social behaviour continues unabated

Yesterday( 20 April 2026), officers from the Weston-super-Mare Neighbourhood Policing Team, supported by North Somerset Neighbourhood Tasking Team, Community Response, Street Wardens, and CCTV Operators, carried out targeted activity focused on individuals engaged in persistent anti-social behaviour and criminality within the town centre.

One prolific offender was arrested for three shop theft offences and three breaches of a Community Protection Notice. She will be presented at court tomorrow, where officers will request consideration of remand in custody and the imposition of a Criminal Behaviour Order.

One man was arrested on suspicion of shop theft and drink‑driving related offences.

Seven individuals causing ongoing issues were dispersed from the town centre by the police using extended mapped area powers and are prohibited from returning for 24 hours.

Officers seized three electric scooters and one electric bicycle, demonstrating their continued commitment to road safety.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Joe Pitman said:

“This activity demonstrates our clear commitment to deterring those who cause harm and disruption within Weston‑super‑Mare town centre. The public consistently tell us they want to feel safe in urban areas, and we are working hard to make the town centre a hostile environment for individuals who refuse to engage or accept support.

This means there must be meaningful outcomes through the criminal justice system. Unfortunately, we have seen a rise in serious youth violence over the Easter holidays, and I would urge parents and carers to remain aware of where their children are, who they are with, and what they are doing.

The use of illegal electric scooters and electric bikes continues to be a concern locally. I appreciate that public opinion on this issue is divided, but I would sooner take the decision to seize and destroy these vehicles than have to knock on a parent’s door to explain that their child has been involved in a life‑changing or fatal collision. There is also a wider issue, as these vehicles are increasingly used by criminal elements to commit street robberies and transport drugs, which means they will continue to be a priority for enforcement.

Outside of these days of action, we are carrying out extensive engagement and preventive work to deliver long‑term, sustainable solutions. Increased visibility, specialist resources such as the Tasking Team, the Police Mounted Unit, and the use of plain‑clothes officers are not going away, and we are determined to maintain the positive momentum we have built.”