50% fall in Keynsham anti-social behaviour incidents

POLICE say reports of anti-social behaviour in Keynsham have halved since last year after they stepped up patrols in the town.

Residents have become concerned in recent years about harassment and shoplifting by young people, especially in the High Street.

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “Officers from our Neighbourhood Policing Team have been working in partnership with the local authority, shops, businesses and schools to identify and deter local offenders.

“Daily patrols have also been taking place within the community and we have set up a scheme with the local town council to identify adult shoplifters and issue anti-social behaviour orders.

“Through this work, we have seen a 50 per cent reduction in anti-social behaviour in Keynsham over the past 18 months and officers continue to work to further reduce this.”

Tackling anti-social behaviour remained a priority for the neighbourhood police team as of last month, after officers noted a “moderate increase” in youths displaying anti-social behaviour and causing damage.

A police statement updated on November 11 said: “The NPT Team are aware and resources and tactics are in use to combat the rise and identify offenders. The team would encourage the community to call 101 and contact the team when ASB is being actively committed.

“We are as a community stronger if we work together and encourage anyone with any footage, screen shots from social media that may assist in identifying individuals to contact the team through the website or 101.”

At a public meeting in early 2024, residents aired their fears about crime and anti-social behaviour, with shoplifting being considered a fact of life by some town centre traders.

Residents continued to report concerns, including one who told the Voice he had seen a group of children aged about 12 riding around the busy Poundland store and pushing past elderly customers.

Earlier this year, Keynsham councillor Alan Hale, a former policeman, caused controversy when he told a meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council that people were being harassed by “feral” youths. Although some councillors objected to the label “feral”, Cllr Hale was supported in his comments by readers’ letters to the Voice.