7:28am Wednesday 8th August 2007
By Joanna Glover
THE top police officer for Chard, Ilminster and Crewkerne has said she wants to make this part of Somerset the safest place in England.
Chief Superintendent Nikki Watson, commander of the Somerset East policing district, told the News her 'vision' is to provide a quality service for residents to ensure they feel safe where they live and work.
"I've been in the role since October and the levels of crime in this part of Somerset are very low," she said. "My vision is that it will become the safest place in England."
Her main areas of concern at the moment include anti-social behaviour, distraction burglaries, vehicle crime, under age drinking and house burglaries.
She has also been impressed with the level of drug education and treatment facilities available to addicts.
"Prolific offenders often have a drugs problem," she said. "We recognise that they need to sort out their problems and just putting them in prison won't necessarily sort them out.
"We need to make sure they have the proper treatment and we need to help them kick the cycle.
"But I have been impressed with the treatment available here locally."
Ch Supt Watson has also backed the News' Open More Hours campaign which is looking to see if there is need for the police station at Ilminster to open more than two days a week to the public and for there to be some weekend opening at the Chard and Crewkerne stations.
"I would be happy to hear what people have to say about the issue," she said.
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