MP SARAH Dyke (Lib Dem, Glastonbury & Somerton) has called on the Prime Minister to help tackle anti-social behaviour in her constituency.

This week, the MP urged Sir Keir Starmer to provide extra resources, met with police and residents, and also called for a PSPO to deal with bad behaviour in Glastonbury.

It comes after a spate of incidents in recent months in the town.

“It is deeply concerning to see the extent of anti-social behaviour in Glastonbury and the very real distress it is causing to residents, not to mention the negative impact on local businesses and tourism, which is so important to our rural economy,” she said.

During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday, the Somerset MP asked the leader for more resources to tackle the troubling rise of anti-social behaviour, highlighting the plight of elderly people who had reported being intimidated and threatened when drawing their pensions, calling it a “devastating crime wave”.

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The PM said the government was providing 13,000 new neighbourhood police, with extra powers to tackle anti-social behaviour which “massively impacts individuals and their communities”.

“It’s very important we take this seriously,” he added.

The following day, Ms Dyke visited Glastonbury and spoke with David Smith, church warden at St John’s, who has recently reopened the church after it was forced to close for an extended period due to anti-social behaviour.

She also met with affected residents and Police Inspector Rachel Clark to hear more about the issues and possible solutions.

With the support of Somerset Council and together with the police, Ms Dyke is calling for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to be reintroduced in Glastonbury.

The orders aim to improve public spaces by tackling anti-social behaviour and enhancing the overall quality of life for residents.

MP Sarah Dyke with police in Glastonbury High Street

“After spending the day in Glastonbury yesterday and holding in-depth conversations with many residents, town centre retailers and stakeholders – including the police and local councillors – it is clear that an immediate reinstatement of the PSPO would have the greatest impact to deter anti-social behaviour – so today I have written to Somerset Council urging this to be actioned as a priority.

“The recent increase in anti-social behaviour has become a terrible blight on the town centre.

“Glastonbury residents, businesses and our many visitors deserve so much better. No one should have to live in fear or feel unsafe or vulnerable because of menacing and threatening behaviour. Urgent action must be taken.

“Avon and Somerset Police have been working as hard as possible to keep the problem under control, but with limited resources and community officers after 14 years of the Conservative Government slashing police numbers, it has been a huge challenge.

“After meeting with Inspector Rachel Clark yesterday, I am encouraged to hear that Glastonbury will soon be receiving more resources and hotspot patrols, so there does really seem to be some positive movement.

“I will continue to put pressure on the Government to make good on its promises to fund community policing, as I have done this week.

“I’m also encouraging Glastonbury residents to report all incidents, however small, as the more incidents reported the more resources will be deployed to the area.”

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