The issue of policing presence on the streets and how to protect the biggest village in the South West was on the table as the Chair of Peasedown Community Trust met the Police and Crime Commissioner during a visit.

Gavin Heathcote was planning to ask Mark Shelford about police patrols in Peasedown, or the lack of them, explaining that Peasedown, along with other local towns, has two main criminal activities : Violent crime and anti social behaviour.

Mr Heathcote, who is also Director of Peasedown Community Trust and who lives in Peasedown with his family said: " I simply want to make Peasedown a safer place to live in. Somewhere children can play safely in the streets. Having police officers here on patrol, will make residents more secure, it is that simple."

He had called for a private meeting with Mark Shelford as part of an on going effort to combat what he sees as growing levels of crime, which he believes may only grow, as the cost of living soars.

The Avon and Somerset PCC has had several such meetings locally, in particular alongside his operations officer with a group of councillors including one from Midsomer Norton.

That is believed to have been Cllr Shaun Hughes who posted on his social media account : " This week I had the privilege to meet with our new Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Inspector, I have further meetings arranged to discuss issues in Midsomer Norton including police staffing levels, speeding vehicles, drug related issues and vehicle break-ins (particularly vans) if there are any other areas of concern please let me know."

The Police and Crime Commissioner told Nub News that although he is hands-off in terms of allocating police officers he was well aware of the challenges that rural communities were facing

He told us: " Rural policing is very important, but we have to get the balance right, specifically that we have our policing strategy right. Because as you know most of the crime is no longer 'old fashioned' burglary and violence, a lot of it is on line, in fact more than 50 per cent of crimes are now on line, so we need to make sure we have got that balance right.

" And give people that reassurance (of officers on the beat) too of course. At the meeting I had last week with councillors, including the Midsomer Norton team, we were talking about how to get that policing right. Particularly (for Midsomer) at the weekends and at night time. The operational commander was at that meeting and he took away their views and will get back with a plan.

" I don't do operations, that is not my job. "

Asked whether he understood how residents want to see officers out and about on the streets, he said: " " That's why the operations commander was there listening, so we target that level of policing correctly. If the commander was here he could answer directly exactly what will be put in place to meet those demands. "

On his official web site it states: PCCs will ensure that the police meet the communities needs effectively. They work in partnership with a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

The issue of local policing is