Bridgwater welcomes new police chief (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Bridgwater welcomes new police chief

7:00am Saturday 6th February 2010 in

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Bridgwater'S new police chief says the main challenge facing his team over the coming years will be the town's huge predicted growth.

Insp Shane Carey, who has just taken up his new role as head of the Bridgwater policing sector after moving from Taunton, told the Mercury: “Growth in Bridgwater is going to be quite immense. There is going to be an increase in population and strain on the infrastructure, but we are determined to deliver a high quality of service, and are sure we can deliver it with partners.”

From the continuing crackdown on drugs to violence, theft and other crimes, Insp Carey is keen to get to the heart of problems in Bridgwater's communities.

He said: “We are always identifying hot spots and looking at ways of dealing with them. We are not looking at quick hits but long-term problem solving - we don't just hit and run, we stay, solve and improve.”

Insp Carey urged people to attend their local Partners and Communities Together meetings, where together with police, they can agree on the policing priorities for the area and hear updates on progress made since previous meetings.

Insp Carey said: “The PACT meetings give people the chance to express their concerns. Going to these meetings can make a massive difference to me as I will get to hear what the problems are first hand from residents”.

Insp Carey joined the police force in 1990 as a PC in Taunton. He then worked in Wellington and Yeovil before moving back to Taunton as part of the Safer, Stronger Neighbourhood team.

He has replaced former Bridgwater Insp Nic Crocker, who now has a new role in Taunton.