BOY-racers and unscrupulous licensees are being warned to watch out as law enforcers step up the battle against anti-social behaviour across the district. Police officers have already carried out covert operations to thwart car thieves and are planning to stage a similar operation to target boy-racers in Minehead. Closer ties will also be forged with the district council to ensure businesses which continue to sell alcohol to under-age drinkers stand the very real threat of losing their alcohol licences altogether. But Minehead police Inspector Carol Pearce told West Somerset Council's performance committee that the police alone could not enforce the law in the district. She said it was vital councillors and members of the public worked more closely with officers to crack down on crime, particularly on the issue of speeding young motorists on Minehead seafront and Seaward Way. "I need to receive complaints about speeding cars when they happen, otherwise I am unable to bid for funding to tackle the problem," said Ms Pearce. "I would ask residents to report all incidents to us as we need to know as much information as possible to enable us to target the offenders." She said that despite the fact the young speeders were causing problems in the early hours of the morning, very few people complained - just six in more than six months. Councillors were told plans were in hand for a covert operation and that a bid had been made for more hand-held speed guns. More than 100 motorists have already been stopped in recent weeks for speeding in areas ranging from Williton, Watchet, Minehead and Washford to Porlock, Kilve and Holford. Many had received fixed penalties and fines while others were given warnings. Ms Pearce said she was also hoping to publish the registration numbers of vehicles involved in speeding and anti-social behaviour along Minehead seafront. "The difficulty we have is that these people have a spotter who keeps a lookout for police vehicles then texts his mates and everything stops." Councillors were told that, overall, the Minehead area's crime detection rate continued to rise, while additional funding had been secured for a raft of crime fighting measures, including new patrol vehicles and CCTV. Ms Pearce said: "It's all about ensuring we have the right people in the right place at the right time to help to deter crime in the first place. "We have been working more effectively with our partners - the police alone cannot police West Somerset." She said a new phone number would soon be available for people to contact the police specifically in the Somerset West sector. However, one of her main priorities involved alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour and crime. "I am very keen that we enforce the Licensing Act and licensing laws as they stand. "There are core places where crime is committed on Friday and Saturday nights and they are linked to drinking. "My big worry will be a 24-hour licence application from Butlins and I'm sure it's only round the corner. "By the very nature of that, every other business in West Somerset will be making similar applications." She said a recent sting targeting under-age alcohol sales at premises across West Somerset found 80 per cent of businesses breaking the law. She pledged to keep the council up to date with the details of lawbreakers to enable councillors to exercise their powers to revoke alcohol trading licences. Performance committee chairman Cllr Tim Taylor said members would fully support any crackdown on businesses in a bid to reduce alcohol related crime.
