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In partnership with North Somerset Council’s Safer Communities team, Avon and Somerset Police, the Weston BID, outreach support services, and CCTV and Community Response teams, Winter of Action activity took place during December, January and February.
Key activity included high-visibility patrols, engagement with local businesses, welfare checks for vulnerable individuals, licensing visits and the use of anti-social behaviour powers where necessary.
Winter of Action success
Since its launch, the joint police and council initiative has delivered seven successful Days of Action, leading to 18 arrests, 11 anti‑social behaviour enforcement actions, and multiple safeguarding referrals. High‑visibility patrols and intelligence‑gathering efforts have also helped disrupt harmful activity and improve safety across the area.
Since the beginning of the operation, Community Response Officers, supported by Police and Weston BID Street Wardens, carried out daily early‑morning patrols, offering support and signposting to vulnerable individuals, and reported breaches via CCTV.
In addition, the Winter of Action operation included community and business engagement via Community Response Officers, Police and Street wardens and the provision of children and young people (CYP) engagement via the BoomBox Youth Project.
With the increased provision and operational support in town and in agreement with key partners, it has been decided to continue the activity and extend the programme into 2026.
Cllr Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s Executive Member for Culture, Community Services and Safety, said:
“I’m encouraged by the results we’ve seen so far from the Winter of Action activity. Local agencies, partners and support services have come together to share expertise, increase levels of support and safety on our streets, and provide meaningful support to those who need it. Together, we’re making North Somerset a safer and more welcoming place for everyone, and I’m pleased that this coordinated effort will continue this year.”
Speaking of the Winter of Action operation, Weston Town Centre Neighborhood Sergeant Joe Pitman said:
“Since we began our Winter of Action activity, we’ve brought several prolific shoplifters before the courts—many of whom are now serving custodial sentences—and we are making full use of the tools available to us, including Criminal Behaviour Orders. Where these orders are breached, we act quickly to ensure offenders are arrested and brought back before the court. I am genuinely grateful for the daily flow of information from the public - this has been instrumental in disrupting organised criminality within the region.
“Our Town Centre Neighbourhood Team, alongside valued partners from North Somerset Council, Somewhere to Go, and the Business Improvement District, have shown unwavering commitment to reducing anti‑social behaviour and criminality in Weston‑super‑Mare town centre and wider North Somerset. Through targeted days of action and ongoing engagement, we continue to balance the vital work of supporting vulnerable individuals who want help, while taking firm and proportionate action against those who repeatedly cause harm in our community.”
Darren Fairchild, Town Centre / BID Manager for Weston Town Centre Partnership / Weston BID added:
“The Business Improvement District (BID) and our Street Wardens were pleased to work alongside the police and our partner agencies during the Winter of Action period, and it has been really encouraging to hear from town centre businesses that they saw a noticeable improvement in antisocial behaviour. I’m pleased that the operation was extended and hopeful that we will see another programme of coordinated activity this Winter as well...”