Mike pounds the beat with bobbies in North Somerset

3.35.10pm GMT Thu 12th Feb 2004

Mike Bell has been out on the streets with local police

Mike Bell, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Woodspring, went out onto the streets of North Somerset last week with sector police Inspector Patrick McGowan to see for himself the problems both residents and police experience.

Mike spent time in the police station in Nailsea and toured around Clevedon, Nailsea, Portishead, Long Ashton, Leigh Woods and other areas looking at crime hotspots.

Mike said: "I was immensely impressed to see the energy and enthusiasm of our local police in their efforts to make North Somerset a safe place for residents. The calmness and efficiency with which they dealt with challenges like the 'Dads protest' on Clifton Suspension Bridge was a real credit to the Avon and Somerset force."

Mike Bell embarked on the outing to see for himself the policing problems there were in North Somerset and to get the perspective of the police on the beat about the needs and priorities for policing in the community.

"It was very worthwhile to be able to experience the work of the police from the viewpoint of the frontline officers," Mike added. "I was able to learn a great deal about the problems the police and residents face and what more we can do to improve things in North Somerset."

However, he sounded a note of caution about under-manning locally: "Although our police do a tremendous job and crime levels are very low, based on what I have seen, the police are often overstretched in North Somerset.

"The number of officers available during the day and night is usually adequate. However any depletion of their numbers due to unexpected incidents, sickness or holidays leaves things much more stretched. It is clear that what we really need is a significant increase in the amount of officers available."

He continued: "Similarly, the system of beat managers in our towns and villages is an excellent idea. However, once an arrest is made, at least one officer and sometimes more, must be detached from duty in the local patch to accompany the suspect to Weston-super-Mare, where paperwork and the need to interview the detained person, will often keep the constable tied up for several hours. This further reduces the number of police available to cover our communities routinely."

Mr Bell said that he would be raising these issues with the Chief Constable and would be joining Inspector McGowan and local police again in a few months time to see what improvements have been made.

Any local resident with concerns about the police can contact Mike Bell on 07765 902348 or via his website at www.mike-bell.org