0:00:02 > 0:00:03With unprecedented access,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Neighbourhood Blues follows the police in Somerset
0:00:06 > 0:00:08as they take on the crimes that annoy us all.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10- Don't manhandle me!- Come over here.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Targeting antisocial behaviour, drug abuse and criminal damage,
0:00:14 > 0:00:17beat officers and PCSOs tackle the problems that,
0:00:17 > 0:00:21if left unchecked, could blight the lives of millions.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23Armed with the latest cutting-edge kit,
0:00:23 > 0:00:26they have the power to strike hard when needed.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Stay where you are!
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- But just like the days of Dixon of Dock Green...- Good evening, all.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35..it's all about partnering with local people...
0:00:35 > 0:00:36Brilliant.
0:00:36 > 0:00:40..working together to sweep crime off our streets.
0:00:40 > 0:00:41Police! Search warrant!
0:00:55 > 0:00:56Coming up...
0:00:56 > 0:00:57I don't know where he's going!
0:00:57 > 0:01:00..the neighbourhood team chase a man through the back streets of Weston.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I was going this way anyway!
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- DOG BARKS - Go on!
0:01:04 > 0:01:07And an officer has a scrape with a vicious dog.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08The dog got on my boot.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11He has dented my steel toe cap, so, yeah, he's quite a dog.
0:01:18 > 0:01:19When we talk about drug raids,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22it often conjures up images of inner-city estates
0:01:22 > 0:01:26but the countryside isn't crime free and when the police have to do
0:01:26 > 0:01:30a raid here, it brings a whole set of problems of its own.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36Today in Weston-super-Mare, they are preparing for just such a raid.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42While most of the time, neighbourhood teams work independently,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45they occasionally need to call in other specialist units.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49For today's raid, they are partnering with the catch team.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53These are the go-to unit for large-scale searches.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55We might get some more units help us search cos it's
0:01:55 > 0:01:58quite a large area but we'll be searching buildings and open lands.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03The team have a warrant to search a house in a sleepy village
0:02:03 > 0:02:06half an hour outside Weston.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09- Are we going to try the door or put it through?- We'll try it.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12People involved in drugs often have weapons or vicious dogs
0:02:12 > 0:02:14to protect their properties.
0:02:16 > 0:02:17Go! Go! Go!
0:02:17 > 0:02:19You never know what will be waiting for you
0:02:19 > 0:02:21on the other side of that door.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24The team go in ready for anything.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- Can you guys go round the back? - All right.
0:02:27 > 0:02:28DOGS BARK
0:02:28 > 0:02:31The place has a couple of guard dogs...
0:02:31 > 0:02:32There's a good dog.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35..who don't take long to make their presence felt.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37- Go on! - DOG BARKS
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Before they can get to the front door, one of the dogs attacks Paul...
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- Go on!- ..leaving officers no option but to taser it.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Taser! Taser!
0:02:46 > 0:02:48DOG BARKS
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Taser! Taser!
0:02:51 > 0:02:55A sharp blast of 50,000 volts is enough to send even the most
0:02:55 > 0:02:57vicious dog running for cover.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Oh, that was good timing, mate, well done.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04That's still running around at the back apparently
0:03:04 > 0:03:06but I think it's a bit quieter than it was before.
0:03:06 > 0:03:07Obviously, it did bite me.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09KNOCK AT DOOR
0:03:09 > 0:03:11The occupant answers the door
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and puts the dog safely in its kennel before the search can begin.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16Is that dog secure, then, Andy?
0:03:16 > 0:03:20For officers, tasering an aggressive dog is their last resort...
0:03:21 > 0:03:25..but it's a very effective way of stopping an attack.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Luckily, Paul's not seriously hurt,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31although the close encounter has left quite an impression.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Clamped on to my arm
0:03:33 > 0:03:36and then I managed to get my foot in the way.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40He has dented my steel toe cap, so, yeah, he is quite a dog.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42It just goes to show the power of the dog bite, doesn't it?
0:03:42 > 0:03:44And then my colleague tasered it.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46It just I think incapacitated the dog long enough
0:03:46 > 0:03:48and as you saw, he ran off.
0:03:48 > 0:03:49Three people live at the house.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51KNOCK AT DOOR
0:03:51 > 0:03:53- Police! - DOG BARKS
0:03:53 > 0:03:54Two of them are home
0:03:54 > 0:03:58but a second man who lives at the address isn't around.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00We've got a warrant issued by the magistrates' court.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02for this place, all the outbuildings.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05The plan is we will be searching this house
0:04:05 > 0:04:08and everything that sort of surrounds the boundary, if you like.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11Is there anything in the house I need to know about that's dangerous,
0:04:11 > 0:04:12illegal or anything like that?
0:04:12 > 0:04:14- No.- No?- No.- OK.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18The team split up to start searching.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Kyle Byrne takes one of the bedrooms.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21When we walked into the room,
0:04:21 > 0:04:26obviously there's a very heavy smell of green cannabis.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28If you look on the cabinet over there on the table,
0:04:28 > 0:04:30it's just spread all over the place.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41It isn't just green cannabis that the team are finding.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46There's drugs paraphernalia all over this room. And that's not all.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53This one here is cannabis resin.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56It is a harder form of the cannabis.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59They're obviously very relaxed at using cannabis in their own home.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01We're finding it behind the bed as well
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and no doubt we're going to find some more.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08It's not long before Arthur Oak sniffs out something
0:05:08 > 0:05:09a bit more substantial.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13While I was checking the middle shelf, I had a smell coming off.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Literally got to the bottom shelf, picked up the plastic bag,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20contained within it is what I believe to be cannabis.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Probably 500-600 grams here. So about a pound of cannabis.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26So, yeah, probably hundreds of pounds,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30this would be with intent to supply.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32We'll bag that up and then it'll be tested.
0:05:35 > 0:05:41Outside, there's a huge garden, which is full of caravans and outhouses.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43All tricky to search.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Too much stuff! Obviously, heavy stuff, sharp stuff,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and we've got to go sifting through it ever so slowly,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56just in case there's something hidden amongst all this.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00It's a hoarder's paradise and a huge job for officers.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03There's quite a large garden here, quite a large yard area.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05There's ponds, there's some buildings
0:06:05 > 0:06:09that are a bit more derelict and lots of building...boats, etc,
0:06:09 > 0:06:10there's lots to go through
0:06:10 > 0:06:12and we've got to make sure we don't miss anything.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Meanwhile, back inside,
0:06:14 > 0:06:18a wobbly floorboard leads the team to a secret hiding place.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20We've got tools that can help us with this kind of thing
0:06:20 > 0:06:22which makes it a little bit easier sometimes.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25But I like to look with my eyes, really. Nice to just look.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- Bit of a void? - Yeah, there's some containers,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31it says "sugar", like sugar and coffee containers.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Yeah. One floorboard was loose.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Looking under the boards,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Natalie Ranahan stumbles on some buried treasure.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44It looks like jewellery.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Watches and jewellery have been carefully hidden in a gap
0:06:47 > 0:06:49under the floor.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51I'm happy with that.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53News comes through that the third person
0:06:53 > 0:06:56living at the address has been stopped by other officers.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00There was a kilogram of cannabis in the car he was a passenger in.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03He's been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05There's been some cash found,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and bearing in mind the subject male's already been
0:07:08 > 0:07:12arrested for possession with intent to supply,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15we need to look a bit further now into amounts of cash,
0:07:15 > 0:07:17other intelligence, obviously some drugs -
0:07:17 > 0:07:19the obvious stuff.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24With so much already found, this house is getting a full search
0:07:24 > 0:07:27and that means breaking out the hi-tech kit to make sure
0:07:27 > 0:07:30no hidey-hole is left unchecked.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34This is a Sea Snake, it's just an endoscope that allows us to see
0:07:34 > 0:07:38into voids where we can't stick our heads.
0:07:40 > 0:07:46So there's a void behind this bowl here, the cistern, so it just
0:07:46 > 0:07:48gives us the chance to look up there,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50make sure there's nothing secreted.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53In a rural community like this, a show of force
0:07:53 > 0:07:56from the neighbourhood team sends a strong message.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00The police are cracking down hard on drugs.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Paul's pleased with today's result.
0:08:03 > 0:08:04We found some amounts of cannabis,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07some very substantial amounts of cannabis.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Ultimately, we found drugs, and that's good, to try and put a stop
0:08:10 > 0:08:11to that and let people know
0:08:11 > 0:08:13that we are not going to stop working for them
0:08:13 > 0:08:17and we'll carry on doing warrants and trying to get drugs off people.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22No charges were brought against the homeowner.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31The kilogram of cannabis in the car turned out to be the driver's.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35And the watches found in the house were his property,
0:08:35 > 0:08:37that he'd stored for safe-keeping.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42The man and the woman at the address were charged with
0:08:42 > 0:08:46possession of cannabis and both received police cautions.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Antisocial behaviour ruins people's lives.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Luckily, the police and councils
0:08:57 > 0:09:00have plenty of powers to evict problem tenants.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04But what happens when that nightmare neighbour owns the house?
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Councils have recently been given new powers to tackle persistent
0:09:10 > 0:09:12antisocial behaviour.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17These closure orders allow them to evict people from their own homes
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and ensure they stay away for up to six months.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25In Bridgwater, Jen Atkinson has been working with the council
0:09:25 > 0:09:28to get some problem residents evicted.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31OFFICE CHATTER
0:09:31 > 0:09:33It is new ASB legislation that we are using.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36And I believe it's the first closure order
0:09:36 > 0:09:39with these new legislations, certainly within Somerset,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42I believe, possibly within the country.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Three serial offenders live in the house...
0:09:47 > 0:09:50..with dozens of convictions between them,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53ranging from possession of heroin to assault.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Now, with these new powers,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01the police finally have a way to get them out.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08We are just going to meet the sheriffs who have come to
0:10:08 > 0:10:12serve notice on our Taunton Road address that we are hopefully
0:10:12 > 0:10:16going to get an eviction order from the courts tomorrow for.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19But we will just be going to prevent any breach of the peace,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21make sure they don't get injured.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Hello! I'll be one of the ones coming with you today.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27'It's taken the council two years to get to this point.'
0:10:27 > 0:10:31They've logged every incident of antisocial or threatening
0:10:31 > 0:10:35behaviour and already seized audio equipment twice.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38But still the complaints come in.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Jen is taking no chances delivering this closure order.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46She's backed up by Tony "Tex" Freeman, an ex-marine.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50He is handy to have around if things go wrong.
0:10:50 > 0:10:51Jen explains today's plan.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Me and Tex are going to literally be set up,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57out of the way around that road. But should you require assistance,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- it's going to take us less than ten seconds to get you.- Sure.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00Hopefully it should just be,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- "Yeah, there you go, thank you very much, off we trot."- OK. Good.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05Let's try and stick to that one, shall we?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Yes! Let's stick to that one if we can.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09If they answer the door with machetes and stuff, just...
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- You know, I don't need to teach you to suck eggs.- Sure.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Disappear and I'll send Tex in. - THEY LAUGH
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Happy with that.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22These new closure orders allow councils and police to close
0:11:22 > 0:11:27places associated with disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Lovely job. Let's get on, then.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Once it's served, the council would be able to kick the tenants
0:11:34 > 0:11:38and the owner out and board the house up for up to six months.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Tex has dealt with these guys before.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48Last time, the gentleman involved was, you know,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51he was up on the ceiling going absolutely ballistic, going mad.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54But then we sort of had him calmed down and brought him
0:11:54 > 0:11:58down within 25 minutes and you know, it's just a lot of bravado,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01a lot of anger and stomping about, really.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Jen and Tex park up just out of sight,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08ready to give the council sheriffs backup if they get into trouble.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Literally the address is just two doors down from where I am now.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14We're just waiting here, the bailiffs are at the door.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Any moment now, we should get a result.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23But it seems no-one is home.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Ah, well this is going to be a bit of a conundrum,
0:12:27 > 0:12:28if they don't answer.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31If they can't serve the closure order on one of the residents,
0:12:31 > 0:12:34then tomorrow's operation will need to be postponed.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40But just as they're about to leave, the homeowner returns.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44That's enabled us, or enabled the bailiffs to serve the notice on him,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47which really is our only goal for today, so...
0:12:47 > 0:12:51At this rate, we'll all be going back nice and safe.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56But the real test will be tomorrow, when the eviction will take place.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Tex is not planning to take any chances.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02So, you just don't really know.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05When you get reports that there's weapons in there, it depends.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Because once you come to the reality of turfing someone
0:13:09 > 0:13:13out of their address, then it can be a different ball game
0:13:13 > 0:13:15and it could spark them off
0:13:15 > 0:13:18to do something that they couldn't normally do.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Later, we see what happens when Bridgwater's most disruptive
0:13:22 > 0:13:25household finally have to leave their home.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37Neighbourhood officers need quick reactions and sharp eyes.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41But sometimes, it's fast feet that makes the difference.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45He's legging it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I don't know where he's going.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54In Weston-super-Mare, Russ Millier
0:13:54 > 0:13:56and Sergeant Colin Batchelor are in hot pursuit...
0:13:58 > 0:14:01..chasing a man who bolted when he spotted a patrol.
0:14:01 > 0:14:02Russ, who is it?
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- Is he wanted? - Not as far as I'm aware.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Weston's back streets and alleys are like a maze.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Two officers, a PCSO and two squad cars
0:14:26 > 0:14:27are all on the hunt for the man.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30But it's up to Russ to finally cuff him.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- You saw the police and done on. - I was going this way anyway.
0:14:36 > 0:14:37Right, take it easy.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- I'm with the officer and- BLEEP- now.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44He is handcuffed and it's all in order.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Turn the blue lights off.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Listen, I ran because it's- BLEEP- down with rain.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52The man is carrying a set of golf clubs with him -
0:14:52 > 0:14:55an unusual item to have out with you in the pouring rain.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58I have just collected my bag and my golf clubs
0:14:58 > 0:15:00because if I meet the kids...
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Going for a game of golf in the rain, were you?
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I was supposed to, yes.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- It wasn't- BLEEP- with rain a minute ago, was it?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Russ gives the man a quick search
0:15:08 > 0:15:11and finds something suspicious in his pocket -
0:15:11 > 0:15:14some expensive looking rings and women's jewellery.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- What's all the jewellery? Whose is all that?- My friend's.- Right.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25It's not gold or nothing. None of it is gold. Have a look.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29It's just what I bought from a charity shop for my missus and that.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31The man initially said the rings belonged to a friend,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35then claimed he bought the jewellery in a second-hand shop.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37But that story soon changes again.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38My friend got it for me.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Which charity shop?- I don't know.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44One of my friends, Emma, bought it for me. I swear to God. Have a look.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46It's not even gold.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- Can you just check?- Check what? - It's not even gold.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- It's irrelevant whether it's gold or not.- Please.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- What am I supposed to look at? - It's not even gold.
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- It's just make-up jewellery. - But it's not what you wear, is it?
0:15:59 > 0:16:01No, but me and my missus have fallen out
0:16:01 > 0:16:04so I'm trying to get her some nice bits and that.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06So where have you bought it from?
0:16:06 > 0:16:10- My friend Emma got it for me. - Who?- Emma. What's her name?
0:16:10 > 0:16:15I can't remember her name. Little bird. Tiny bird. Emma.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18What's her last name? I swear, it's just make-up jewellery.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Listen to what I'm saying to you.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22At this time I cannot confirm whose this jewellery is
0:16:22 > 0:16:24and where it's come from.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27You haven't given me a good enough account to prove that.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- My friend, Emma.- Listen.- BLEEP.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Please, I haven't even seen my kids...
0:16:31 > 0:16:32Listen to me, at this time,
0:16:32 > 0:16:35due to the circumstances and everything you've got on you,
0:16:35 > 0:16:39you are under arrest on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Walking back down the alley, the team pass a wallet
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Russ saw the man drop as he ran.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46That's been dropped as well.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- That is nothing to do with me.- Yes, it is.- That's nothing to do with me.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- There is something in there by the look of it.- Open it up.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59The wallet is filled with bags of white powder
0:16:59 > 0:17:02that look like amphetamine, an illegal drug.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- Can you please...- You are going to be further arrested now.- What for?
0:17:08 > 0:17:13What am I getting further arrested for now? I don't understand.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16The man now admits he did drop the wallet
0:17:16 > 0:17:19but he claims he didn't know any drugs were in it.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- OK.- BLEEP- I've just collected all of this stuff from- BLEEP...
0:17:24 > 0:17:27I seen you discard it on the floor as you were running down the alley.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Yes, but I've only just collected all of that from my friend's house.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Listen to me. Stop all over-talking and listen.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34You are further arrested
0:17:34 > 0:17:37on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Are you listening to what I'm saying?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Or is it going in one ear and out the other?
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- I understand.- OK. Get in there a minute.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45But the man's not listening
0:17:45 > 0:17:48and despite being under arrest his only concern is to get
0:17:48 > 0:17:50a message to his ex-girlfriend
0:17:50 > 0:17:53via a friend who's passing in the street.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Just get hold of her and tell her that I'm sorry I couldn't meet her.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59I was on my way to meet her.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I just had a haircut and I was on my way to meet her.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06This guy is nothing if not mouthy.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10He's not even back at the station before he starts his confession.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I admit I bought a couple of grams of base for tonight.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Base is the street name for a strong form of amphetamines
0:18:20 > 0:18:22which are normally swallowed.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- Why aren't you out dealing with.... - Because we're dealing with you.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Back at the station,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32the man is booked in and Russ can have a proper look at the evidence.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35On the foot chase, about 10 metres back from where I stopped him,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38he threw this on the floor,
0:18:38 > 0:18:39which is a black wallet
0:18:39 > 0:18:42and inside, if you can just the see there,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46were about four or five white wraps.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48The man knows the game's up
0:18:48 > 0:18:51and is finally forced to confront a few home truths.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Drugs is my mistress
0:18:53 > 0:18:57and I always seem to pick them first over my family,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00even though my family mean more to me than that.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03I didn't think I would ever be stood here again, do you know what I mean?
0:19:03 > 0:19:06And I've let my kids down again as well, right,
0:19:06 > 0:19:08and that's what's the main thing.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11As he admitted the amphetamines were his,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14the man was given a caution for drugs possession
0:19:14 > 0:19:17but the rings in his pocket really did belong to him
0:19:17 > 0:19:20and, as unlikely as it sounded,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23he really was off for a quick round of golf
0:19:23 > 0:19:24which might explain the shorts.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35Antisocial behaviour from neighbours can make people's lives a misery.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37Councils have recently been given new powers
0:19:37 > 0:19:40to tackle persistent offenders.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44For the first time, they can now evict owner occupiers
0:19:44 > 0:19:47from their own properties for up to six months.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Back in Bridgwater,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Jen Atkinson's about to brief a large team of officers.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59Their mission today to evict three persistent antisocial neighbours.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Just give you a little bit of background
0:20:01 > 0:20:05of what we're doing today, it's an eviction for a closure order
0:20:05 > 0:20:10which has gone to magistrates today under the new ASB powers.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11The council are the lead for it,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15we're purely there should anything go wrong.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Even though they're facing eviction,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20the residents' behaviour hasn't changed.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24One neighbour in particular has had all sorts of threats against him,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27he did start kicking off last night, throwing stones at him,
0:20:27 > 0:20:29threatening to kill him.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31The concern is that the residents will be waiting
0:20:31 > 0:20:33for the police to arrive.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Should they then refuse to leave, that's when our powers kick in,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39hence why there's so many of us, all right?
0:20:40 > 0:20:46The team head off, unsure about what sort of reception lies ahead.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Worst case scenario is we get there
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and we're met by quite a lot of violence and...
0:20:52 > 0:20:55So, there's obviously quite a high risk for injury
0:20:55 > 0:20:58at this point in time, that's why we're taking a lot of people with us
0:20:58 > 0:21:01to hopefully subdue any violence we find.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04While yesterday was all about keeping a low profile,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07today is a show of force.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Officers want the residents to see them in numbers
0:21:10 > 0:21:12and leave without a fuss.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Everyone is on edge as the bailiffs order the occupants to leave.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23The bailiffs are just giving them 15 minutes to pack up
0:21:23 > 0:21:26what they need to pack up for the time being, enough to survive on
0:21:26 > 0:21:31and then we're waiting for boarding up to come and board the house up.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Having 16 officers in six vehicles has probably done its job.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39They have arranged for accommodation for them
0:21:39 > 0:21:41but they don't seem interested in that,
0:21:41 > 0:21:43they've quite happily walked off.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47All three residents leave without a fuss.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48I'm assuming with all the warning
0:21:48 > 0:21:50that they've been given that this is coming,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53they've secured themselves accommodation for tonight.
0:21:55 > 0:21:56Jen goes to check the property.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- Do you mind if we go in and just do a quick once...?- Yeah, go ahead.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02Inside, the house is in a terrible state.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05The roof is leaking,
0:22:05 > 0:22:10the ceilings are falling in and there's huge cracks in the walls.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13The reason it's been closed down is a mixture of antisocial behaviour
0:22:13 > 0:22:20and, as you can see, it's not really fit for human habitants.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23This is the bathroom/kitchen.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25The window doesn't close and hasn't closed for a long time.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28That's been like that for well over a year
0:22:28 > 0:22:30so it's allowed all sorts of water in.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34And there's anti-police graffiti on the walls.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38"Kill the bill dead." That's a bit mean, isn't it?
0:22:38 > 0:22:41The house is in such a terrible state
0:22:41 > 0:22:45that even without its residents, it's affecting the neighbours.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Terraced house so a roof that's falling down
0:22:47 > 0:22:51and had lots of water damage in could affect houses either side
0:22:51 > 0:22:54so it gives the council a chance to come in and inspect it
0:22:54 > 0:22:57with their team and make any decisions they need to make.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Councils have had these new powers to hammer antisocial behaviour
0:23:02 > 0:23:05since March 2014.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08As the boards go up on the doors and windows,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11the residents of Taunton Road have months of peace and quiet
0:23:11 > 0:23:12to look forward to.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Most of the people locally within the direct neighbours
0:23:17 > 0:23:20have obviously been affected greatly about what's been going on
0:23:20 > 0:23:24for the last six-eight months that we've been trying to help them with,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27so their reactions have been really positive
0:23:27 > 0:23:30and actually it's seeing the relief that they know that
0:23:30 > 0:23:33somebody's listening to them, that somebody's helping them,
0:23:33 > 0:23:38that someone's trying to improve their quality of life.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- Hiya, you all right?- Good afternoon.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51When Tex isn't acting as backup in evictions,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54he's found patrolling some of the most deprived parts of Bridgwater.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59He's spent years working with local residents
0:23:59 > 0:24:01to help regenerate the area.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Three and a half years ago, approximately,
0:24:03 > 0:24:07I raised £12,000 to put a garden area
0:24:07 > 0:24:11and change the sort of derelict area into a nice little garden
0:24:11 > 0:24:14for the residents so we're going to go and have a look at that.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Bridgwater's canal runs underneath the garden.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Before this project, the land was derelict
0:24:21 > 0:24:25and the area suffered from antisocial behaviour and neglect.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Cos there's a lot of flats there, not many people have got gardens
0:24:28 > 0:24:31so it's really to give them a nice area that they can use and sit in
0:24:31 > 0:24:33on a nice sunny day like today.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Now the garden has become an integral part of the community.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41It's wonderful and you actually see people just sat here
0:24:41 > 0:24:44eating sandwiches at lunchtime, enjoying themselves, which is great.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Tex has worked around the area for 13 years
0:24:47 > 0:24:52and getting this garden funded is one of his proudest accomplishments.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54The council paid for a commemorative plaque
0:24:54 > 0:24:56in honour of this achievement.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Now Tex has arranged for a group of local schoolchildren
0:25:01 > 0:25:04to paint another mural on the last blank wall.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Yeah, nice boat, some ducks, some swans, trees,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12bridge, towpath, boat.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Yeah. Think it'll brighten it up.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18The first mural was designed by a local child
0:25:18 > 0:25:22and today's artwork has been created by another young budding artist
0:25:22 > 0:25:26who won a competition at school.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Time to unleash Bridgwater's junior Picassos.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34We need to get the basic... the block colours on.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38So that's going to be the river first,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41the sky in the background and the paths.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46The competition winner, 12-year-old Madeline Rossiter,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50is on site, seeing her design brought to life.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Surprised and happy because there were lots of other good designs,
0:25:55 > 0:25:57so I didn't think that mine would be chosen.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Yesterday we came and drew it on
0:26:00 > 0:26:03and today there's more of us here to help paint the design.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06The area looks a lot better now because it's got two murals
0:26:06 > 0:26:09there from people from Haygrove School that have come to paint it.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Blob it right on.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15You don't have to be delicate with this, we've got loads of space, OK?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Speaking with Tex and being out with Tex today,
0:26:18 > 0:26:20he just knows so many people.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- Shall we do a dance or sing? - If you like.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25- All right, what shall we sing? - # Gee... #
0:26:25 > 0:26:27I don't know!
0:26:27 > 0:26:30It's good to have that feel that when you are in this community,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33you've got that trust in someone that you can just go to,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36it's not just it's the police force and it's a bit scary,
0:26:36 > 0:26:38it's a real community spirit.
0:26:38 > 0:26:44- She said, what do you think of me? - Oh, he's lovely! He's lovely!
0:26:44 > 0:26:47You want anything done, he'll sort it out for you.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52- I'll give you that £100 later on, OK?- Ooh, that would be nice!
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Yeah, without neighbourhood policing, this just wouldn't happen.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57It's fantastic, you know, this is what it's all about.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Not just brightening up the area but getting the kids involved.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04Time for Tex to flex his artistic muscles.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Let's hope I don't mess it up.
0:27:07 > 0:27:08HE LAUGHS
0:27:08 > 0:27:11No, they're good, they're good. Look, we'll just build them up.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16I'm loving it. I'm just a bit conscious I'm not very good.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19I don't like the early ones, I'm going over them.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22- Good mixture of colours there, good tone.- Thank you, miss.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- Well done.- Thank you. - Out of ten, I'd give you an eight.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29What can I say? I'm made up.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33As the painting nears completion, it's causing a stir with residents.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Yeah, you living the dream?
0:27:37 > 0:27:39No, I live in the flat now!
0:27:39 > 0:27:41- Nah, I said, "You living the dream? - What?
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Not where you live! "Live in a flat!"
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Living the dream.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- You all right?- Yeah, are you? - Yeah, not too bad.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Time to put the finishing touches and it's job done.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Fantastic, innit? Absolutely brilliant.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Makes it all worthwhile so, yeah, really chuffed.
0:28:01 > 0:28:02Really chuffed with it.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Right, big smiles. Lovely.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21The neighbourhood police teams are dedicated
0:28:21 > 0:28:25to making our streets safer and more peaceful places.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26Join us again next time.