Police have expressed relief over the closure of a shop whose owners have failed to 'acknowledge the issues it has contributed to'.

Evidence including CCTV footage was provided to Sedgemoor District Council by Avon and Somerset Police which highlighted a catalogue of disorded linked to the International Food Centre, in Binford Place.

The council has revoked its licence after officers raised concern about its link to drunkenness and anti-social behaviour.

A review of the shop's licence heard holder Memhet Yildirim repeatedly breached the conditions of the licence and undermined all four licensing objectives.

In addition to a number of altercations in and around the shop, police also raised concerns about anti-social behaviour from customers and the inappropriate sale of alcohol.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Inspector Andy Pritchard said: “The community repeatedly raised concerns to us about crime and disorder in and around Binford Place.

“We listened to these concerns and tackling anti-social behaviour among street drinkers in Bridgwater has been the number one priority for the neighbourhood team for the past couple of months.

“We’ve issued 10 dispersal orders along with three community protection warnings and as a direct result we’ve seen the number of complaints fall by two-thirds.

“We’ve also been conducting high visibility patrols in the area and have regularly targeted offenders using powers to confiscate alcohol where appropriate.

“I am relieved that this shop, which has failed to engage with us and our partners and has failed to acknowledge the issues it has contributed to, has had its licence revoked.

“We will continue to work with our partners to hold licenced premises to account and to ensure they are operating responsibly.”