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 > 0:01:01..the neighbourhood team chase a man through the back streets of Weston.
0:01:01 > 0:01:02I was going this way anyway!
0:01:03 > 0:01:06The city centre team in Bath fear a known offender is
0:01:06 > 0:01:07up to his old tricks.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10He selects a number of DVDs from the shelving display,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12puts them inside his jacket,
0:01:12 > 0:01:14straight out of the door without paying.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17DOG BARKS
0:01:17 > 0:01:18Go on!
0:01:18 > 0:01:21And an officer has a scrape with a vicious dog.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23The dog got on my boot.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25He has dented my steel toe cap, so, yeah, he's quite a dog.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Somerset is the home to over 400 villages...
0:01:39 > 0:01:40..two cities...
0:01:41 > 0:01:43..and many coastal towns...
0:01:45 > 0:01:48..all watched over by the men and women of the police force.
0:01:50 > 0:01:51When we talk about drug raids,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54it often conjures up images of inner-city estates
0:01:54 > 0:01:58but the countryside isn't crime free and when the police have to do
0:01:58 > 0:02:02a raid here, it brings a whole set of problems of its own.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Today in Weston-super-Mare, they are preparing for just such a raid.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14While most of the time, neighbourhood teams work independently,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17they occasionally need to call in other specialist units.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21For today's raid, they are partnering with the catch team.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25These are the go-to unit for large-scale searches.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27We might get some more units help us search cos it's
0:02:27 > 0:02:30quite a large area but we'll be searching buildings and open lands.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36The team have a warrant to search a house in a sleepy village
0:02:36 > 0:02:38half an hour outside Weston.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41- Are we going to try the door or put it through?- We'll try it.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44People involved in drugs often have weapons or vicious dogs
0:02:44 > 0:02:46to protect their properties.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49Go! Go! Go!
0:02:49 > 0:02:51You never know what will be waiting for you
0:02:51 > 0:02:53on the other side of that door.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56The team go in ready for anything.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59- Can you guys go round the back? - All right.
0:02:59 > 0:03:00DOGS BARK
0:03:00 > 0:03:03The place has a couple of guard dogs...
0:03:03 > 0:03:04There's a good dog.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07..who don't take long to make their presence felt.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09- Go on! - DOG BARKS
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Before they can get to the front door, one of the dogs attacks Paul...
0:03:13 > 0:03:16- Go on!- ..leaving officers no option but to taser it.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Taser! Taser!
0:03:18 > 0:03:20DOG BARKS
0:03:21 > 0:03:24Taser! Taser!
0:03:24 > 0:03:27A sharp blast of 50,000 volts is enough to send even the most
0:03:27 > 0:03:30vicious dog running for cover.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Oh, that was good timing, mate, well done.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36That's still running around at the back apparently
0:03:36 > 0:03:38but I think it's a bit quieter than it was before.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40Obviously, it did bite me.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41KNOCK AT DOOR
0:03:41 > 0:03:43The occupant answers the door
0:03:43 > 0:03:46and puts the dog safely in its kennel before the search can begin.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Is that dog secure, then, Andy?
0:03:48 > 0:03:52For officers, tasering an aggressive dog is their last resort...
0:03:53 > 0:03:57..but it's a very effective way of stopping an attack.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Luckily, Paul's not seriously hurt,
0:04:00 > 0:04:03although the close encounter has left quite an impression.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05Clamped on to my arm
0:04:05 > 0:04:08and then I managed to get my foot in the way.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12He has dented my steel toe cap, so, yeah, he is quite a dog.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14It just goes to show the power of the dog bite, doesn't it?
0:04:14 > 0:04:16And then my colleague tasered it.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18It just I think incapacitated the dog long enough
0:04:18 > 0:04:20and as you saw, he ran off.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21Three people live at the house.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23KNOCK AT DOOR
0:04:23 > 0:04:25- Police! - DOG BARKS
0:04:25 > 0:04:26Two of them are home
0:04:26 > 0:04:30but a second man who lives at the address isn't around.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32We've got a warrant issued by the magistrates' court.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35for this place, all the outbuildings.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37The plan is we will be searching this house
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and everything that sort of surrounds the boundary, if you like.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Is there anything in the house I need to know about that's dangerous,
0:04:43 > 0:04:44illegal or anything like that?
0:04:44 > 0:04:46- No.- No?- No.- OK.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50The team split up to start searching.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Kyle Byrne takes one of the bedrooms.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54When we walked into the room,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58obviously there's a very heavy smell of green cannabis.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00If you look on the cabinet over there on the table,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02it's just spread all over the place.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14It isn't just green cannabis that the team are finding.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18There's drugs paraphernalia all over this room. And that's not all.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25This one here is cannabis resin.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28It is a harder form of the cannabis.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31They're obviously very relaxed at using cannabis in their own home.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33We're finding it behind the bed as well
0:05:33 > 0:05:36and no doubt we're going to find some more.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40It's not long before Arthur Oak sniffs out something
0:05:40 > 0:05:42a bit more substantial.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45While I was checking the middle shelf, I had a smell coming off.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Literally got to the bottom shelf, picked up the plastic bag,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53contained within it is what I believe to be cannabis.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Probably 500-600 grams here. So about a pound of cannabis.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58So, yeah, probably hundreds of pounds,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02this would be with intent to supply.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05We'll bag that up and then it'll be tested.
0:06:08 > 0:06:13Outside, there's a huge garden, which is full of caravans and outhouses.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15All tricky to search.
0:06:17 > 0:06:22Too much stuff! Obviously, heavy stuff, sharp stuff,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24and we've got to go sifting through it ever so slowly,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28just in case there's something hidden amongst all this.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32It's a hoarder's paradise and a huge job for officers.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35There's quite a large garden here, quite a large yard area.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38There's ponds, there's some buildings
0:06:38 > 0:06:41that are a bit more derelict and lots of building...boats, etc,
0:06:41 > 0:06:42there's lots to go through
0:06:42 > 0:06:45and we've got to make sure we don't miss anything.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Yeah, sometimes you've really got to strip these
0:06:47 > 0:06:50things down properly to have a proper look.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Greenhouses with broken glass, used soil.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55And we've got to contemplate whether or not we're going to start
0:06:55 > 0:06:58digging things up as well, so, yeah, lots and lots of work.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01And like I say, very little time left of daylight.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Meanwhile, back inside,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07a wobbly floorboard leads the team to a secret hiding place.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09We've got tools that can help us with this kind of thing
0:07:09 > 0:07:11which makes it a little bit easier sometimes.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15But I like to look with my eyes, really. Nice to just look.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18- Bit of a void? - Yeah, there's some containers,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20it says "sugar", like sugar and coffee containers.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Yeah. One floorboard was loose.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25Looking under the boards,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Natalie Ranahan stumbles on some buried treasure.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33It looks like jewellery.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Watches and jewellery have been carefully hidden in a gap
0:07:36 > 0:07:38under the floor.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40I'm happy with that.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Three metres above her...
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Paul's been searching through the attic.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Celebrations tub within reach of the hatch, big box of needles and pills.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Some of them look like they're used, some are new,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56and bags of pills.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Obviously, we don't know what these are, but they'll have to be seized.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02News comes through that the third person
0:08:02 > 0:08:05living at the address has been stopped by other officers.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09There was a kilogram of cannabis in the car he was a passenger in.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13He's been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15There's been some cash found,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and bearing in mind the subject male's already been
0:08:18 > 0:08:22arrested for possession with intent to supply,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25we need to look a bit further now into amounts of cash,
0:08:25 > 0:08:28other intelligence, obviously some drugs -
0:08:28 > 0:08:29the obvious stuff.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34With so much already found, this house is getting a full search
0:08:34 > 0:08:37and that means breaking out the hi-tech kit to make sure
0:08:37 > 0:08:40no hidey-hole is left unchecked.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44This is a Sea Snake, it's just an endoscope that allows us to see
0:08:44 > 0:08:49into voids where we can't stick our heads.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56So there's a void behind this bowl here, the cistern, so it just
0:08:56 > 0:08:58gives us the chance to look up there,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00make sure there's nothing secreted.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04In a rural community like this, a show of force
0:09:04 > 0:09:06from the neighbourhood team sends a strong message.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10The police are cracking down hard on drugs.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Paul's pleased with today's result.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15We found some amounts of cannabis,
0:09:15 > 0:09:17some very substantial amounts of cannabis.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Ultimately, we found drugs, and that's good, to try and put a stop
0:09:20 > 0:09:22to that and let people know
0:09:22 > 0:09:24that we are not going to stop working for them
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and we'll carry on doing warrants and trying to get drugs off people.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31The man who was stopped in the car containing the kilogram of cannabis
0:09:31 > 0:09:33later had those charges dropped
0:09:33 > 0:09:35as the drugs turned out to be the driver's.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39However, due to the drugs found at the property, that same passenger
0:09:39 > 0:09:43was arrested on the suspicion of possession of cannabis.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46The watches and jewellery hidden under the floorboards
0:09:46 > 0:09:49belonged to the man in the house and were stored there for safe-keeping.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52The man and the woman at the address were charged with
0:09:52 > 0:09:56possession of cannabis and both received police cautions.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Antisocial behaviour ruins people's lives.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08Luckily, the police and councils
0:10:08 > 0:10:11have plenty of powers to evict problem tenants.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15But what happens when that nightmare neighbour owns the house?
0:10:17 > 0:10:21Councils have recently been given new powers to tackle persistent
0:10:21 > 0:10:23antisocial behaviour.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27These closure orders allow them to evict people from their own homes
0:10:27 > 0:10:30and ensure they stay away for up to six months.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36In Bridgwater, Jen Atkinson has been working with the council
0:10:36 > 0:10:38to get some problem residents evicted.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41OFFICE CHATTER
0:10:41 > 0:10:44It is new ASB legislation that we are using.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46And I believe it's the first closure order
0:10:46 > 0:10:50with these new legislations, certainly within Somerset,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I believe, possibly within the country.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Three serial offenders live in the house...
0:10:57 > 0:11:00..with dozens of convictions between them,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04ranging from possession of heroin to assault.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Now, with these new powers,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12the police finally have a way to get them out.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18We are just going to meet the sheriffs who have come to
0:11:18 > 0:11:22serve notice on our Taunton Road address that we are hopefully
0:11:22 > 0:11:26going to get an eviction order from the courts tomorrow for.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29But we will just be going to prevent any breach of the peace,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31make sure they don't get injured.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Hello! I'll be one of the ones coming with you today.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38'It's taken the council two years to get to this point.'
0:11:38 > 0:11:41They've logged every incident of antisocial or threatening
0:11:41 > 0:11:45behaviour and already seized audio equipment twice.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48But still the complaints come in.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52Jen is taking no chances delivering this closure order.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56She's backed up by Tony "Tex" Freeman, an ex-marine.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00He is handy to have around if things go wrong.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Jen explains today's plan.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Me and Tex are going to literally be set up,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07out of the way around that road. But should you require assistance,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- it's going to take us less than ten seconds to get you.- Sure.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11Hopefully it should just be,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- "Yeah, there you go, thank you very much, off we trot."- OK. Good.
0:12:14 > 0:12:15Let's try and stick to that one, shall we?
0:12:15 > 0:12:17Yes! Let's stick to that one if we can.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20If they answer the door with machetes and stuff, just...
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- You know, I don't need to teach you to suck eggs.- Sure.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- Disappear and I'll sent Tex in. - THEY LAUGH
0:12:27 > 0:12:28Happy with that.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32These new closure orders allow councils and police to close
0:12:32 > 0:12:38places associated with disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39Lovely job. Let's get on, then.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45Once it's served, the council would be able to kick the tenants
0:12:45 > 0:12:49and the owner out and board the house up for up to six months.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54Tex has dealt with these guys before.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Last time, the gentleman involved was, you know,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01he was up on the ceiling going absolutely ballistic, going mad.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04But then we sort of had him calmed down and brought him
0:13:04 > 0:13:08down within 25 minutes and you know, it's just a lot of bravado,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11a lot of anger and stomping about, really.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Jen and Tex park up just out of sight,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18ready to give the council sheriffs backup if they get into trouble.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Literally the address is just two doors down from where I am now.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24We're just waiting here, the bailiffs are at the door.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Any moment now, we should get a result.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33But it seems no-one is home.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Ah, well this is going to be a bit of a conundrum,
0:13:37 > 0:13:38if they don't answer.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42If they can't serve the closure order on one of the residents,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45then tomorrow's operation will need to be postponed.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50But just as they're about to leave, the homeowner returns.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54That's enabled us, or enabled the bailiffs to serve the notice on him,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58which really is our only goal for today, so...
0:13:58 > 0:14:00At this rate, we'll all be going back nice and safe.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06But the real test will be tomorrow, when the eviction will take place.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Tex is not planning to take any chances.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12So, you just don't really know.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15When you get reports that there's weapons in there, it depends.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20Because once you come to the reality of turfing someone
0:14:20 > 0:14:24out of their address, then it can be a different ball game
0:14:24 > 0:14:25and it could spark them off
0:14:25 > 0:14:28to do something that they couldn't normally do.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32It could give them time to, you know, to set up barricades
0:14:32 > 0:14:35and do stuff and put other things in place.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38We've just got to risk assess and take it as it comes.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Later, we see what happens when Bridgwater's most disruptive
0:14:44 > 0:14:47household finally have to leave their home.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Neighbourhood officers need quick reactions and sharp eyes.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03But sometimes, it's fast feet that makes the difference.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07He's legging it.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13I don't know where he's going.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16In Weston-super-Mare, Russ Millier
0:15:16 > 0:15:18and Sergeant Colin Batchelor are in hot pursuit...
0:15:19 > 0:15:22..chasing a man who bolted when he spotted a patrol.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Russ, who is it?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- Is he wanted? - Not as far as I'm aware.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Weston's back streets and alleys are like a maze.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49Two officers, a PCSO and two squad cars are all on the hunt for the man.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52But it's up to Russ to finally cuff him.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57- You saw the police and done on. - I was going this way anyway.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Right, take it easy.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- I'm with the officer and- BLEEP- now.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06He is handcuffed and it's all in order.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Turn the blue lights off.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Listen, I ran because it's- BLEEP- down with rain.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14The man is carrying a set of golf clubs with him -
0:16:14 > 0:16:17an unusual item to have out with you in the pouring rain.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20I have just collected my bag and my golf clubs
0:16:20 > 0:16:22because if I meet the kids...
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Going for a game of golf in the rain, were you?
0:16:24 > 0:16:26I was supposed to, yes.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- It wasn't- BLEEP- with rain a minute ago, was it?
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Russ gives the man a quick search
0:16:30 > 0:16:33and finds something suspicious in his pocket -
0:16:33 > 0:16:36some expensive looking rings and women's jewellery.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- What's all the jewellery? Whose is all that?- My friend's.- Right.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47It's not gold or nothing. None of it is gold. Have a look.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50It's just what I bought from a charity shop for my missus and that.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53The man initially said the rings belonged to a friend,
0:16:53 > 0:16:57then claimed he bought the jewellery in a second-hand shop.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59But that story soon changes again.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00My friend got it for me.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02- Which charity shop?- I don't know.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06One of my friends, Emma, bought it for me. I swear to God. Have a look.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08It's not even gold.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- Can you just check?- Check what? - It's not even gold.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13- It's irrelevant whether it's gold or not.- Please.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- What am I supposed to look at? - It's not even gold.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- It's just make-up jewellery. - But it's not what you wear, is it?
0:17:21 > 0:17:23No, but me and my missus have fallen out
0:17:23 > 0:17:26so I'm trying to get her some nice bits and that.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27So where have you bought it from?
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- My friend Emma got it for me. - Who?- Emma. What's her name?
0:17:32 > 0:17:37I can't remember her name. Little bird. Tiny bird. Emma.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40What's her last name? I swear, it's just make-up jewellery.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41Listen to what I'm saying to you.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44At this time I cannot confirm whose this jewellery is
0:17:44 > 0:17:46and where it's come from.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49You haven't given me a good enough account to prove that.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51- My friend, Emma.- Listen.- BLEEP.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Please, I haven't even seen my kids...
0:17:53 > 0:17:54Listen to me, at this time,
0:17:54 > 0:17:57due to the circumstances and everything you've got on you,
0:17:57 > 0:18:01you are under arrest on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Walking back down the alley, the team pass a wallet
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Russ saw the man drop as he ran.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08That's been dropped as well.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- That is nothing to do with me.- Yes, it is.- That's nothing to do with me.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- There is something in there by the look of it.- Open it up.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21The wallet is filled with bags of white powder
0:18:21 > 0:18:24that look like amphetamine, an illegal drug.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- Can you please...- You are going to be further arrested now.- What for?
0:18:30 > 0:18:35What am I getting further arrested for now? I don't understand.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38The man now admits he did drop the wallet
0:18:38 > 0:18:40but he claims he didn't know any drugs were in it.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- OK.- BLEEP- I've just collected all of this stuff from- BLEEP...
0:18:46 > 0:18:49I seen you discard it on the floor as you were running down the alley.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53Yes, but I've only just collected all of that from my friend's house.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Listen to me. Stop all over-talking and listen.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56You are further arrested
0:18:56 > 0:18:59on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00Are you listening to what I'm saying?
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Or is it going in one ear and out the other?
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- I understand.- OK. Get in there a minute.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07But the man's not listening
0:19:07 > 0:19:10and despite being under arrest his only concern is to get
0:19:10 > 0:19:14a message to his ex-girlfriend via a friend who's passing in the street.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Just get hold of her and tell her that I'm sorry I couldn't meet her.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I was on my way to meet her.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23I just had a haircut and I was on my way to meet her.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28This guy is nothing if not mouthy.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32He's not even back at the station before he starts his confession.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36I admit I bought a couple of grams of base for tonight.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42Base is the street name for a strong form of amphetamines
0:19:42 > 0:19:44which are normally swallowed.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- Why aren't you out dealing with.... - Because we're dealing with you.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Back at the station,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54the man is booked in and Russ can have a proper look at the evidence.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57On the foot chase, about 10 metres back from where I stopped him,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00he threw this on the floor,
0:20:00 > 0:20:01which is a black wallet
0:20:01 > 0:20:04and inside, if you can just the see there,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08were about four or five white wraps.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10The man knows the game's up
0:20:10 > 0:20:13and is finally forced to confront a few home truths.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Drugs is my mistress
0:20:15 > 0:20:18and I always seem to pick them first over my family,
0:20:18 > 0:20:21even though my family mean more to me than that.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25I didn't think I would ever be stood here again, do you know what I mean?
0:20:25 > 0:20:28And I've let my kids down again as well, right,
0:20:28 > 0:20:30and that's what's the main thing.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33As he admitted the amphetamines were his,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36the man was given a caution for drugs possession
0:20:36 > 0:20:39but the rings in his pocket really did belong to him
0:20:39 > 0:20:42and, as unlikely as it sounded,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44he really was off for a quick round of golf
0:20:44 > 0:20:46which might explain the shorts.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56The great thing about neighbourhood policing is that officers
0:20:56 > 0:21:02really know their communities and the face of every persistent offender.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05That's especially useful when your beat is Bath city centre -
0:21:05 > 0:21:09somewhere that gets almost six million visitors a year.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16There's been a theft from a city centre shop caught on CCTV.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Luke Keenan is investigating.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24So, this is the gentleman that we're looking at on the still photograph.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28It shows him coming into the store, he goes downstairs,
0:21:28 > 0:21:29puts his jacket over his shoulder,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32during which time he selects a number of DVDs
0:21:32 > 0:21:34from the shelving display,
0:21:34 > 0:21:35puts them inside his jacket,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38walks away with his jacket still on his shoulder,
0:21:38 > 0:21:40up the stairs of the store
0:21:40 > 0:21:43and straight out of the door without paying.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Luke doesn't recognise the man himself
0:21:45 > 0:21:47but he quickly finds out who he is.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52He's been identified via CCTV footage by one of our local PCSOs
0:21:52 > 0:21:56so we're going to go to his address today and arrest him.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Luke and colleague Roger Parker head to the home of the man
0:22:00 > 0:22:03who became notorious back in 2011
0:22:03 > 0:22:06after being jailed for a one-man crimewave.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11There was a spate of thefts from various coffee shops
0:22:11 > 0:22:14and, as you can see in Bath, they're absolutely everywhere
0:22:14 > 0:22:18and when we actually got the break, it's linked it all to this one guy.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22The man confessed to around 400 thefts.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24DOOR ENTRY RINGS
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Fearing he's up to his old tricks,
0:22:26 > 0:22:30officers want to arrest him before he commits any further crimes.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32DOOR ENTRY RINGS
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that he's in at the moment...- No.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38..which is frustrating.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40Well, we'll have a little lookout, a bit of an area tour,
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- see if he's around the city centre. - Yeah, let's go.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46He's quite well-known so we'll have a little drive round
0:22:46 > 0:22:48and see if we can find him.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53Although their search draws a blank, the centre of Bath is quite small
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and with the city centre team on the lookout for the man,
0:22:56 > 0:22:58it won't be long before he's spotted.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Back at the station, Roger explains how the man managed to get away
0:23:04 > 0:23:07with his crime spree for so long.
0:23:07 > 0:23:13So what we know about this suspect is he has in the past
0:23:13 > 0:23:17used a particular technique for taking bags.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Now, Bath is full of coffee shops, he'll look for somebody elderly,
0:23:21 > 0:23:27vulnerable and he will sit with his back to a coat, bag.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30He will sit down, he's already eyed up what he's looking for
0:23:30 > 0:23:32and either when the person gets up themselves
0:23:32 > 0:23:35or they leave the bag or they go up to pay for their coffee,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38he would just literally put his hand through the back,
0:23:38 > 0:23:42feed it through, through like that, pick it up,
0:23:42 > 0:23:46sometimes conceal it in a bag and off he'll go.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47Back in the city centre,
0:23:47 > 0:23:51PCSO Brian Harris spotted the suspect and followed him home.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Mark Hodder's on his way to arrest him.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Yeah, all right, Bri, yeah, you're in order, though, are you?
0:23:57 > 0:24:00PCSOs can't arrest suspects but they can detain them
0:24:00 > 0:24:04for up to 30 minutes until police backup arrives.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Brian, I'm just outside. You're in there, are you? Thanks, Bri.
0:24:13 > 0:24:14Bri.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Hello, Mark.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- I don't intend on handcuffing you, Mark.- Okey-doke.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- We have met before, haven't we?- Yep. - Do you remember?- Yep.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24It was a while ago.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Last time you were in trouble, I think. Yeah.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- Brian explain what it's about? - Yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Yeah, so it's theft of DVDs from HMV, Stall Street in Bath
0:24:35 > 0:24:37on 10th May this year.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39You've been identified from the CCTV.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41I'm arresting you for that offence.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Necessity for arrest is to try and recover property.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46So we're going to go to Keynsham
0:24:46 > 0:24:48get you interviewed and get it sorted.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- OK.- All right? Got everything you need?- Yep.- Yeah?
0:24:51 > 0:24:52All right, just down here.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59The man's taken to custody, booked in and questioned
0:24:59 > 0:25:00while his flat's searched.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Mark is confident that they'll get a conviction.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07CCTV evidence alone is overwhelming.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11I'm sure he'll be found guilty at court
0:25:11 > 0:25:14but, I mean, in the meantime a concern is that from what
0:25:14 > 0:25:16we saw at his address and what he's disclosed to us,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19he is clearly using.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21There's going to be a real concern
0:25:21 > 0:25:25that he's going to go back to his bad habits
0:25:25 > 0:25:28and start stealing from people.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31When his case came up in court,
0:25:31 > 0:25:36the shoplifter was ordered to pay a total of £370 in fines.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38He was also given a community order
0:25:38 > 0:25:42that came with a compulsory drugs rehabilitation requirement.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Hopefully this time it'll work
0:25:46 > 0:25:49and police will have stopped another crimewave from happening.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58Still to come on Neighbourhood Blues,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00police in Bridgwater prepare themselves
0:26:00 > 0:26:03for a potentially volatile eviction.
0:26:03 > 0:26:04Worst case scenario is we get there
0:26:04 > 0:26:06and we're met by quite a lot of violence
0:26:06 > 0:26:10so there's obviously quite a high risk for injury
0:26:10 > 0:26:13at this point in time, that's why we're taking a lot of people with us
0:26:13 > 0:26:16to hopefully subdue any violence we find.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19And Tex gets lost in translation.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Yeah, you living the dream?
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- No, I live in the flat now.- No, I said, "You living the dream?"- What?
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Not where you live, live in a flat!
0:26:33 > 0:26:38Antisocial behaviour from neighbours can make people's lives a misery.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Councils have recently been given new powers
0:26:40 > 0:26:43to tackle persistent offenders.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47For the first time, they can now evict owner occupiers
0:26:47 > 0:26:50from their own properties for up to six months.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54Back in Bridgwater,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Jen Atkinson's about to brief a large team of officers.
0:26:57 > 0:27:03Their mission today to evict three persistent antisocial neighbours.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Just give you a little bit of background
0:27:05 > 0:27:08of what we're doing today, it's an eviction for a closure order
0:27:08 > 0:27:13which has gone to magistrates today under the new ASB powers.
0:27:13 > 0:27:14The council are the lead for it,
0:27:14 > 0:27:18we're purely there should anything go wrong.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Even though they're facing eviction,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24the residents' behaviour hasn't changed.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27One neighbour in particular has had all sorts of threats against him,
0:27:27 > 0:27:30he did start kicking off last night, throwing stones at him,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32threatening to kill him.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34The concern is that the residents will be waiting
0:27:34 > 0:27:36for the police to arrive.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40Should they then refuse to leave, that's when our powers kick in,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42hence why there's so many of us, all right?
0:27:43 > 0:27:49The team head off, unsure about what sort of reception lies ahead.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51Worst case scenario is we get there
0:27:51 > 0:27:54and we're met by quite a lot of violence and...
0:27:55 > 0:27:58So, there's obviously quite a high risk for injury
0:27:58 > 0:28:01at this point in time, that's why we're taking a lot of people with us
0:28:01 > 0:28:04to hopefully subdue any violence we find.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07While yesterday was all about keeping a low profile,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10today is a show of force.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Officers want the residents to see them in numbers
0:28:13 > 0:28:15and leave without a fuss.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Everyone is on edge as the bailiffs order the occupants to leave.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26The bailiffs are just giving them 15 minutes to pack up
0:28:26 > 0:28:29what they need to pack up for the time being, enough to survive on
0:28:29 > 0:28:34and then we're waiting for boarding up to come and board the house up.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38Having 16 officers in six vehicles has probably done its job.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42They have arranged for accommodation for them
0:28:42 > 0:28:44but they don't seem interested in that,
0:28:44 > 0:28:46they've quite happily walked off.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50All three residents leave without a fuss.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52I'm assuming with all the warning
0:28:52 > 0:28:54that they've been given that this is coming,
0:28:54 > 0:28:56they've secured themselves accommodation for tonight.
0:28:58 > 0:28:59Jen goes to check the property.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02- Do you mind if we go in and just do a quick once...?- Yeah, go ahead.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05Inside, the house is in a terrible state.
0:29:07 > 0:29:08The roof is leaking,
0:29:08 > 0:29:13the ceilings are falling in and there's huge cracks in the walls.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17The reason it's been closed down is a mixture of antisocial behaviour
0:29:17 > 0:29:23and, as you can see, it's not really fit for human habitants.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26This is the bathroom/kitchen.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29The window doesn't close and hasn't closed for a long time.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31That's been like that for well over a year
0:29:31 > 0:29:34so it's allowed all sorts of water in.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37And there's anti-police graffiti on the walls.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41"Kill the bill dead." That's a bit mean, isn't it?
0:29:41 > 0:29:46The house is in such a terrible state that even without its residents,
0:29:46 > 0:29:48it's affecting the neighbours.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Terraced house so a roof that's falling down
0:29:50 > 0:29:54and had lots of water damage in could affect houses either side
0:29:54 > 0:29:57so it gives the council a chance to come in and inspect it
0:29:57 > 0:30:01with their team and make any decisions they need to make.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06Councils have had these new powers to hammer antisocial behaviour
0:30:06 > 0:30:08since March 2014
0:30:08 > 0:30:11but this is the first time that they've been used in Somerset.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Kind of the very extreme end of the scale.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20Not every ASB situation is going to end in a closure but because of,
0:30:20 > 0:30:24well, the state of the house and the escalation with the people
0:30:24 > 0:30:26that were here, it's had to get this far.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30As the boards go up on the doors and windows,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33the residents of Taunton Road have months of peace and quiet
0:30:33 > 0:30:34to look forward to.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39Most of the people locally within the direct neighbours
0:30:39 > 0:30:42have obviously been affected greatly about what's been going on
0:30:42 > 0:30:46for the last six-eight months that we've been trying to help them with,
0:30:46 > 0:30:49so their reactions have been really positive
0:30:49 > 0:30:53and actually it's seeing the relief that they know that
0:30:53 > 0:30:56somebody's listening to them, that somebody's helping them,
0:30:56 > 0:31:00that somebody's trying to improve their quality of life.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10I'll contact the council...
0:31:10 > 0:31:13An important part of neighbourhood policing is listening to
0:31:13 > 0:31:17people's concerns and acting on them swiftly.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20That means listening to every bit of information
0:31:20 > 0:31:24and following up every lead, no matter how strange the call.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28In Weston-super-Mare, Jon Phippen and Gemma Harper
0:31:28 > 0:31:31are on their way to a local supermarket...
0:31:32 > 0:31:36..where security staff have reported two men acting suspiciously
0:31:36 > 0:31:38on numerous occasions.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40OK, and they're always that end of the car park?
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Yeah, one of our colleagues, he always sees them going round,
0:31:43 > 0:31:45going into the van...
0:31:45 > 0:31:47I showed them the pictures we took of them.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50So that's the two males on their van.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55Two men in a blue van keep loitering in the store car park at lunchtime.
0:31:55 > 0:31:56All right, that's weird, isn't it?
0:31:56 > 0:31:58They're acting suspiciously
0:31:58 > 0:32:02and they've done it regularly enough to have the security guards worried.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04So, it is very, very suspicious.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06They're not here now as we've arrived
0:32:06 > 0:32:08but we shall go out looking and hopefully find them.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10Although it's a strange report,
0:32:10 > 0:32:13it's just this kind of intelligence that officers rely on
0:32:13 > 0:32:17to help identify crimes being committed in their neighbourhoods.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21We actively work with the community in a whole,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24not just the security or the stores or the businesses.
0:32:24 > 0:32:28It's anyone that will share intelligence or information with us,
0:32:28 > 0:32:30any information fed to us is always good
0:32:30 > 0:32:34and, where possible, we always try and act on it in a positive manner.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37Weston-super-Mare has cameras all over town,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39monitored from a central control
0:32:39 > 0:32:41and when police are looking for someone,
0:32:41 > 0:32:45CCTV operators provide invaluable backup.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Jon puts out the van's description.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49BEEPS HORN
0:32:49 > 0:32:51SIRENS WAIL
0:32:51 > 0:32:55And within minutes, he gets directed to a blue van heading out of town.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08But while officers are talking to the driver,
0:33:08 > 0:33:11news comes over their radio earpieces.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15The van they're looking for has been found on the other side of town.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- Yeah, it's a different one. No worries.- You can go on your way.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Cheers, mate. Thanks for stopping. Thank you.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28A quick check on the police database gives Jon the heads up
0:33:28 > 0:33:29as to who he's dealing with.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34We know who the driver is and they are known to the police
0:33:34 > 0:33:38for minor drug offences, possession,
0:33:38 > 0:33:43some criminal damage and things like that.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46The van's parked outside some local shops
0:33:46 > 0:33:50and the occupants have been found inside an empty unit by Anna Hall.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53- Can we have a look in your van? - Not really.
0:33:53 > 0:33:54There's nothing, like I said,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56there's nothing out of order in there.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Is there a reason why you don't want us to check your van out?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- Is there something in there you've got to hide?- No.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02It might be something or nothing
0:34:02 > 0:34:05but that's what's brought us out to you, mate, yeah?
0:34:05 > 0:34:06With a van full of rubbish,
0:34:06 > 0:34:09including several used toilets,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11searching the vehicle is a dirty job.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Do you want me to start that side, Anna, and then work the back
0:34:14 > 0:34:16or do you want me to do the back and you'll do the front?
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Yeah, do you want to start in the back?
0:34:18 > 0:34:19- HE LAUGHS - OK!
0:34:22 > 0:34:24The toilet's even got water in it.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26While they're searching,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30further information comes over their earpieces.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33The passenger's wanted,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36so we'll be taking him to court once we've finished this.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42No wonder the men were a bit shifty when police approached them.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44It turns out the passenger is wanted for breaking
0:34:44 > 0:34:47his community punishment for attempted theft.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52As all the team's information has come over their earpieces,
0:34:52 > 0:34:56the man has no idea he's been identified until it's too late.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01Gemma arrests him and the search continues.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07He has a quantity of used needles in the glove box.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Anna finds a number of used and fresh needles.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- So, are you diabetic?- No. - So, what are those needles?
0:35:20 > 0:35:24- Speak to him about...Alan about... - Are they his, are they?- Yeah.- OK.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29- Is he diabetic?- I don't know.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30As well as the needles,
0:35:30 > 0:35:33further intelligence links the van's occupants
0:35:33 > 0:35:35to other reports of strange behaviour.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Vehicle's been seen in Tesco's car park regularly
0:35:37 > 0:35:41over the last few weeks and also it looks like the two...
0:35:41 > 0:35:45The driver and the passenger have been seen recovering items
0:35:45 > 0:35:46at other locations.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Time to see what the driver's got to say for himself.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52The pair of you have been seen jumping in and out of bushes
0:35:52 > 0:35:56with items that you've recovered and then making off in your van.
0:35:56 > 0:35:57You need to be aware...
0:35:57 > 0:36:01- You're aware of the offence of theft by finding, are you?- Yeah.- Right.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03You can't just recover stuff and just...
0:36:03 > 0:36:05Jon confronts the driver about the weird behaviour
0:36:05 > 0:36:07in the supermarket car park.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10What's drawn their attention to you today is it's...
0:36:10 > 0:36:13one of multiple times they've seen you in the car park
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- doing the same thing.- But it is quite a distinctive vehicle.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18It's not the van, it's you two.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21I can't sort of for the life of me, you know, I get out
0:36:21 > 0:36:23and have a cigarette
0:36:23 > 0:36:26and sit on the tailgate and have a glug of me juice.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28With the driver protesting his innocence
0:36:28 > 0:36:32and no firm evidence to the contrary, Jon lets the man go on his way.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35You can shut the van.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Your mate's coming with us anyway because he's wanted,
0:36:37 > 0:36:39- so he ain't coming back to work anyway.- Oh, right.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42All right, so you can shut the van. Thank you for your help.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44- Is that you on your own?- Free man.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51Officers drop the passenger off at the magistrates' court.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Hello, mate, you all right?
0:36:53 > 0:36:55Although the driver hasn't committed a crime,
0:36:55 > 0:36:59investigating his strange behaviour led the team to a wanted man.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Jon updates the security team
0:37:03 > 0:37:06and, strangely, the driver's already been back for fuel.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Yeah, yeah, we caught them up by the other Tesco's,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16by Whitecross Road, one of them was for something unrelated,
0:37:16 > 0:37:20so he's at court now but obviously the driver came back,
0:37:20 > 0:37:22- didn't he, and fuelled up?- Yeah.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25Call us if it comes in again.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29But if you can, try and get it on your CCTV.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31We'll circulate the vehicle now onto our intelligence system
0:37:31 > 0:37:34for officers to proactively look and see what it's up to.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37The vehicle's now been seen in quite a few suspicious circumstances,
0:37:37 > 0:37:42so I think for the teams it's well worth them knowing what's going on.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47The team's quick response to reports of suspicious behaviour paid off.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51In court, the passenger was sentenced to 30 hours of unpaid work
0:37:51 > 0:37:53for breaking his community order.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01- Hiya, you all right?- Good afternoon.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04When Tex isn't acting as backup in evictions,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08he's found patrolling some of the most deprived parts of Bridgwater.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12He's spent years working with local residents
0:38:12 > 0:38:14to help regenerate the area.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Three and a half years ago, approximately,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20I raised £12,000 to put a garden area
0:38:20 > 0:38:24and change the sort of derelict area into a nice little garden
0:38:24 > 0:38:28for the residents so we're going to go and have a look at that.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Bridgwater's canal runs underneath the garden.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Before this project, the land was derelict
0:38:34 > 0:38:38and the area suffered from antisocial behaviour and neglect.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Cos there's a lot of flats there, not many people have got gardens
0:38:41 > 0:38:44so it's really to give them a nice area that they can use and sit in
0:38:44 > 0:38:46on a nice sunny day like today.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Now the garden has become an integral part of the community.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54It's wonderful and you actually see people just sat here
0:38:54 > 0:38:58eating sandwiches at lunchtime, enjoying themselves, which is great.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Tex has worked around the area for 13 years
0:39:01 > 0:39:05and getting this garden funded is one of his proudest accomplishments.
0:39:05 > 0:39:09The council paid for a commemorative plaque in honour of this achievement.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Now Tex has arranged for a group of local schoolchildren
0:39:14 > 0:39:17to paint another mural on the last blank wall.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Yeah, nice boat, some ducks, some swans, trees,
0:39:21 > 0:39:25bridge, towpath, boat.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Yeah. Think it'll brighten it up.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31The first mural was designed by a local child
0:39:31 > 0:39:35and today's artwork has been created by another young budding artist
0:39:35 > 0:39:39who won a competition at school.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43Time to unleash Bridgwater's junior Picassos.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47We need to get the basic... the block colours on.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51So that's going to be the river first,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54the sky in the background and the paths.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59The competition winner, 12-year-old Madeline Rossiter,
0:39:59 > 0:40:03is on site, seeing her design brought to life.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Surprised and happy because there were lots of other good designs,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10so I didn't think that mine would be chosen.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Yesterday we came and drew it on
0:40:13 > 0:40:17and today there's more of us here to help paint the design.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20The area looks a lot better now because it's got two murals
0:40:20 > 0:40:23there from people from Haygrove School that have come to paint it.
0:40:25 > 0:40:26Blob it right on.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29You don't have to be delicate with this, we've got loads of space, OK?
0:40:29 > 0:40:32All too often you hear about people moaning about antisocial behaviour
0:40:32 > 0:40:35and young people and what's nice as well is that the kids enjoy
0:40:35 > 0:40:39doing it and from a residents' point of view they actually see that,
0:40:39 > 0:40:40you know, not all children are bad
0:40:40 > 0:40:42and actually there's a lot of children who, you know,
0:40:42 > 0:40:45will put the time and effort in and do something for them.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Speaking with Tex and being out with Tex today,
0:40:48 > 0:40:50he just knows so many people.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52- Shall we do a dance or sing? - If you like.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55- All right, what shall we sing? - # Gee... #
0:40:55 > 0:40:56I don't know!
0:40:56 > 0:41:00It's good to have that feel that when you are in this community,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03you've got that trust in someone that you can just go to,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06it's not just it's the police force and it's a bit scary,
0:41:06 > 0:41:08it's a real community spirit.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13- She said, what do you think of me? - Oh, he's lovely! He's lovely!
0:41:13 > 0:41:17You want anything done, he'll sort it out for you.
0:41:17 > 0:41:22- I'll give you that £100 later on, OK?- Ooh, that would be nice!
0:41:22 > 0:41:25Yeah, without neighbourhood policing, this just wouldn't happen.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27It's fantastic, you know, this is what it's all about.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Not just brightening up the area but getting the kids involved.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34Time for Tex to flex his artistic muscles.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37Let's hope I don't mess it up.
0:41:37 > 0:41:38HE LAUGHS
0:41:38 > 0:41:41No, they're good, they're good. Look, we'll just build them up.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46I'm loving it. I'm just a bit conscious I'm not very good.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49I don't like the early ones, I'm going over them.
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- Good mixture of colours there, good tone.- Thank you, miss.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56- Well done.- Thank you. - Out of ten, I'd give you an eight.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58What can I say? I'm made up.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03As the painting nears completion, it's causing a stir with residents.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Yeah, you living the dream?
0:42:07 > 0:42:08No, I live in the flat now!
0:42:08 > 0:42:10- Nah, I said, "You living the dream? - What?
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Not where you live! "Live in a flat!"
0:42:13 > 0:42:14Living the dream.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18- You all right?- Yeah, are you? - Yeah, not too bad.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Time to put the finishing touches and it's job done.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Fantastic, innit? Absolutely brilliant.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30Makes it all worthwhile so, yeah, really chuffed.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Really chuffed with it.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Right, big smiles. Lovely.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50As we've seen today,
0:42:50 > 0:42:53whether it's running down drug addicts or catching shoplifters,
0:42:53 > 0:42:58the neighbourhood police teams are dedicated to making our streets safer
0:42:58 > 0:43:00and more peaceful places.
0:43:00 > 0:43:01Join us again next time.