Bridgwater Town Council continues to invest in a network of 61 strategically placed CCTV cameras across the town, playing a quiet but vital role in protecting residents, supporting emergency services and helping to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, the CCTV system provides continuous monitoring of the town, enabling rapid responses to incidents and supporting close partnership working with Avon and Somerset Police and local services.
Over the past year, the CCTV network has supported 831 incidents across Bridgwater, demonstrating its contribution to community safety.
Of these:
- 221 incidents resulted in arrests, highlighting the effectiveness of coordinated, real-time monitoring
- 369 incidents were directly initiated by CCTV observations
- 361 incidents were police-led, supported by CCTV
- 101 incidents were facilitated through Town Link radio communications
The figures show CCTV’s value across a wide range of incidents, including:
- Assaults: 156 incidents, with 57 arrests
- Anti-social behaviour (ASB): 129 incidents
- Theft: 84 incidents
- Public order offences: 77 incidents, with 27 arrests
CCTV also supported action on more serious and complex offences, including:
- Traffic offences (including drink driving): 47 incidents, with 18 arrests
- Drug-related incidents: 45 cases, with 12 arrests
- Weapons incidents: 35 cases, with 15 arrests
- Criminal damage: 33 incidents
In addition, CCTV played a key role in identifying and locating offenders, with 59 incidents involving wanted individuals, all resulting in arrests.
The system also supports safeguarding work across the town. Over the past year, operators assisted in 121 welfare-related incidents, helping to identify and protect vulnerable individuals through close coordination with emergency services.
While the data demonstrates clear outcomes, Bridgwater Town Council recognises ongoing concerns from residents about anti-social behaviour in certain areas.
Bridgwater Town Council works closely with key partners through a Police Forum, bringing together representatives from Bridgwater Town Council, Avon & Somerset Police, the CCTV service and Town Wardens to review data and coordinate activity.
No single agency can tackle anti-social behaviour alone, which is why this partnership approach is so important in ensuring a coordinated and effective response.
Members of the Police Forum share data, review ongoing issues and identify specific problem areas. This helps ensure that resources are targeted where they are most needed, even if enforcement is not always immediately visible in every location.
CCTV provides vital evidence and intelligence, but it does not prevent incidents on its own or always result in immediate visible enforcement. Footage is regularly shared with police and enforcement teams to support investigations, identify repeat offenders and build robust cases that can lead to formal action.
This process can take time, but it is essential to ensure enforcement is effective, proportionate and legally sound.
Residents are encouraged to report incidents of anti-social behaviour, as this information plays a vital role in helping partners build an accurate picture of issues across the town. Reports help identify patterns, target resources effectively and support enforcement action where needed.
Anti-social behaviour can be reported online to Avon and Somerset Police at https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/anti-social-behaviour/ or by calling 101 for non-emergency reports or 999 in an emergency.
Beyond tackling anti-social behaviour, the CCTV network is delivering wider benefits, supporting road safety, contributing to arrests for offences such as drink driving and helping to create a safer and more welcoming environment for residents, businesses and visitors.
Cllr Tim Mander, Chair of Bridgwater Town Council’s Police Forum said,
“This year’s figures clearly demonstrate the impact CCTV is having across Bridgwater, from supporting hundreds of incidents to helping secure over 200 arrests. Importantly, this includes action on serious offences such as drink driving, where CCTV evidence has contributed to making our roads safer.
“We understand residents’ concerns around anti-social behaviour and the desire to see more immediate visible action. CCTV is a vital tool in tackling these issues, but it works as part of a wider partnership approach with the police and other agencies. It allows us to gather the evidence needed to take meaningful and lasting action.
“We remain committed to building on that success to ensure Bridgwater continues to be a safe place to live, work and visit.”