POLICE are being urged once again to stamp out anti-social behaviour in Blake Gardens with residents now saying they feel the area is unsafe.

People are urging the police to put more boots on the ground in the battle against the anti-social activities taking place there.

Last month, Wembdon resident David Gliddon wrote a formal complaint to Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Sue Mountstevens, putting pressure on her to act upon the swelling dissatisfaction in the way police are handling the problems that have hit the gardens.

He told the Mercury: “There’s been an issue with Blake Gardens for years.

Many years ago it wasn’t too bad a place where people felt safe but it just isn’t any more.

“We need regular police patrols. I think it needs stronger action and we should be able to go anywhere in this town and feel safe.

“The general feeling seems to be that Blake Gardens are not considered safe for everyday folk to enjoy.

“The gardens are inhabited by undesirable people often acting illegally and the police response has been ineffectual and at times unhelpful and counter-productive.

“There is generally a lack of visible police presence in the gardens and the town generally and there seems to be no coherent plan as how to make the gardens a safe place for people to visit.”

In an email response to Mr Gliddon’s letter, PCC Sue Mountstevens said: “As the contents of your email concerns me and relates to an operational policing matter, under the independent direction and control of the Chief Constable, I feel that in the first instance it is best that I ask Avon and Somerset Police to look into this matter urgently.”

Mr Gliddon was told that he would receive a response within 20 working days from September 25 but as the Bridgwater Mercury went to print no such contact had been made.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said: “We are aware of public concerns about anti-social activities in Blake Gardens and encourage them to report them to police by dialling 101, and we will write to Mr Gliddon regarding his concerns.

“Blake Gardens are patrolled every day and our partners monitoring CCTV pictures can alert us to any incident needing our attendance.”

There has been a spate of incidents in Blake Gardens in recent months and this summer police and Sedgemoor District Council vowed to clamp down on the drunks, drug takers and yobs plaguing the park.

However, residents still say not enough is being done to address the safety concerns they have about using the green space.

Bridgwater resident Melanie Cherrington said: “I have had to call an ambulance for a guy who was passed out on a bench there.

“He looked completely out of it, drooling and with his eyes rolled back.

“I know it is a public space and can be used by anyone but I find what I see happening there concerning.”

Kimi Lloydhowell said: “I used to hang around in that park a few years ago like everyone did.

“Drunks would shout verbal abuse at you and there was so much anti-social behaviour from other teenagers looking for fights.

“Kids use it as somewhere to drink and years later nothing has changed – I’m 22 and too scared to walk through the park on my own – doesn’t that say a lot.”