POLICE are making progress in their clampdown on anti-social behaviour in Bridgwater's Binford Place, but traders say a number of issues still need addressing.

Following a meeting of Bridgwater Town Development Forum in June attended by PCC Sue Mountstevens, police said they would target Binford Place to targets problems raised by residents.

Speaking at Bridgwater Town Council on Thursday night, Sgt. Joe Piscina said: "So far we have had three people summoned to court for public order offences, 10 people have been issued Section 35 orders which disperse them from the area for 24 hours, and we are hoping to take certain premises to license review but we need to gather watertight evidence."

He said that since the area had been targeted there had been more patrols in place, the mobile police van had been located in the area frequently and they had managed to use mounted units on occasions too.

"We have seen a 40 per cent reduction in reports of anti-social behaviour since we targeted the area but we know our work is not done yet," Sgt Piscina said.

However Adrian Fisher, who runs The Bridge Restaurant, said that while the situation had improved, the problems seemed soon arose again once the police left the area.

"I appreciate that the police are trying to step up, but the result has been that when the police leave it is just as bad as before if not worse," Mr Fisher said.

"Just this morning we had one individual drinking on the bench from 8am through to 10am. You could tell it was only going to go one way. I know that around 5pm there was an incident and that same individual was most likely involved," he said.

Mr Fisher also outlined concerns with the length of time it took to report an incident through the 101 service.

Sgt Piscina said he understood the frustration, but asked traders to have patience.

Town clerk Alan Hurford said: "What this does show is that having a visible police presence is a deterrent, when you do have someone there the trouble seems to stop.

Town mayor Graham Granter added: "We appreciate the work you and your team are doing and understand it takes time."

Cllr Leigh Redman said Bridgwater police should look at having one number which allowed traders, councillors and members of the public to call local officers rather than having to go through 101.